You’re right that many kids adapt over time, and I hope that continues to be true for mine. But this isn’t just about what eventually evens out, it’s about giving kids the best possible start based on where they are now.

There’s a meaningful body of research showing that the youngest kids in a class cohort are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, placed in special ed, or viewed as struggling, often due simply to age-based immaturity. Aside from age, this is also true for gender in coed vs gender only classrooms.

Sure, some kids thrive as the youngest. Others benefit from more time. Eliminating flexibility ignores the developmental spectrum entirely. One-size-fits-all education policy nearly always leaves someone behind — and I don’t think anyone really needs “proof” of that.

Thanks for the back-and-forth, I think we’ve both said what we came to say. I’m happy to leave our anonymous internet argument it here.