Hi family,

Wow — your voices on our recent post have been unbelievable.

As of this writing, the TikTok has reached nearly 14,000 views and sparked 843 comments, and that tells me one thing clearly: this is something many of us are thinking about, worrying about, and trying to understand better.

If you haven’t seen the post yet, you can view it here:

https://www.tiktok.com/@sharitamorgan8888/photo/7593232920005922079

The question we asked wasn’t an easy one:


Should students be held back if they don’t meet the requirements for the next grade—or promoted with supports?

Some students reach 8th grade still functioning on a 2nd- or 4th-grade level in reading and math. Are we really helping them by promoting them with supports and an IEP—or are we setting them up to struggle even more later?

The comments were thoughtful, honest, and deeply personal.

Some shared that holding a child back can hurt confidence and make kids feel like they don’t belong.

One person reflected that staying with their age group, with the right encouragement, helped their child stay motivated and emotionally steady.

Others shared the opposite experience.

A few talked about how being passed along without strong foundational skills only made things harder later.

One comment said something along the lines of, “Support only works if it actually helps kids catch up, not if it just helps them get by.”

Educators also weighed in, reminding us that schools often want to do more but are limited by time, staffing, and resources. That reality matters in this conversation too.

What stood out most wasn’t disagreement — it was care.

This isn’t a one-answer issue. Every child is different. Some students truly benefit from promotion with meaningful, targeted support. Others may need more time to build confidence and skills before moving forward.

What matters most is honesty and early action.

Not blame.
Not labels.
Not rushing kids because the calendar says it’s time.

Our kids deserve support that actually helps them grow — academically and emotionally.

I’m GRATEFUL for everyone who showed up in that comment section with respect and heart. These conversations matter, and they help us all reflect on how we can better serve our children and students.

Let’s keep listening.
Let’s keep learning.
And let’s keep advocating for what our kids truly need to succeed long term.

With love,

Ms. Sharita

Growth Coach | Behavior & Learning Strategist | Math & Literacy Tutor

✨ Let's Connect ↙️ https://calendly.com/growthinstitute100/free-consultation

Call: 918-313-1973

Visit: growingwithsharita.com

Email: growthinstitute100@gmail.com

If you’ve been reading this, you know how challenging it can be when a child struggles in school. Some kids fall behind in math or reading, while others may struggle with confidence — and it can leave parents wondering how to help without overwhelming or discouraging their child.

I offer free phone consultations to start the conversation about what you want your child to accomplish. During our call, we’ll discuss your goals and concerns, then follow up with an assessment to understand where your child is academically and emotionally. From there, we’ll create a personalized action plan to help them grow in math, reading, spelling, behavior, and mindset — a plan that truly works for your child.

📞 Call or text: 908-313-1973
✉️ Email: growthinstitute100@gmail.com
🌐 Or book an appointment easily by clicking the button below.

Let’s work together to turn struggles into growth and give your child the tools to thrive. ✨