Debating

So.....I'm a teacher and my uncle is a school Psychologist...and we were talking today and I mentioned to him that this year Harrisburg School District isn't doing summer school. In the past, they would have kids attend summer school instead of holding them back. I thought this was bad because I felt like some of my kids need the summer school, and that it will only get worse for them if they keep getting passed onto the next grade when they aren't ready. My uncle on the other hand, told me that holding them back a year is "detrimental" and that they usually don't do better anyhow. I disagree...I have kids in my class right now who are in 3rd grade and can barely read....they should have been held back in either first or second grade to master their reading skills a bit better. The PSSAs are going to be awful...because not only don't they care, but the skills are quite alarming. I can understand how that if you held back a student when they were in 5th-6th grade not really making a difference, but I think if you hold them back in the earlier grades, the kids don't notice or comment so much and it can really help. I just can't imagine possibly passing students on who aren't ready and can't handle it. I also don't think it's fair how if a student has an IEP..they pretty much can get away with anything. By law they are not allowed to suspended or expelled, no matter what they do. Not fair at all. Parents play the IEP card as well...I called a parent to tell them I gave their child detention for fighting in my classroom. Her response was, "Do you know he has an IEP?" Who cares what he has..the fact of the matter is..he isn't allowed to punch the crap outta kids!! Another example that frustrates me beyond all reason is that a 3rd grade boy next door to me has tried choking two different students...and both times have just received one day of detention. He hasn't learned a thing!!! What's the world coming too?!