He may have a comorbid, such as a learning disability. 50% of these kids have something else going on. Seems to me that he should have caught up quite some time ago. You could ask the school to evaluate him for a learning issue. 

I wanted to give you an idea about what can happen.  My dd was having trouble learning to read in 2nd grade too.  She was in a special class and they did a ton of phonics and it just didn't help.  She was never diagnosed but I think she has a auditory disconnect of some kind.  (in additiion to ADD) Anyway,  I put her in a summer program at a school that is for kids with dislexia and other learning diabilities. (I couldn't afford the regular school year) She was one of the best readers at camp.  This gave her alot of confindence that I couldn't give her.

Anyway, she still cannot pronouce any word she has never seen and heard but since she is in 7th grade and they no longer test her by reading aloud - she is in honors reading!  She still can't spell either but who cares?

good luck,

If you as a parent feel that your son needs to remain in 1st grade another year then you have that right as a parent.  There is no shame to retention if it is done correctly.  You would rather do it at this age than when a child is in 5th grade. 

If you feel that a retention won't make a difference then I would have the district look at him and determine whether he needs other services such as special education for a learning disability or 504 .  Special Educ. is difficult to do now a days due to some new laws.   Start with talking to your school's administrators or instructional facilitator if they have one.  I am an IF and have been able to help many a student and  parent in this area with some informal assessments that can add to classroom teacher data. 

Another thing to talk to the school about....if he is more than a year behind in reading then the school must address this and place him on TIER program.   TIER 1 is classroom tutorials by classroom teacher. He would be TIER 2 (usually provided by top notch teacher who has training in reading or math area in the area of reading or math depending on the need) and if progress doesn't happen or occur then he would move onto TIER 3(usually provided by the school reading teacher or instructional facilitiator who is certified in reading or math depending on the need) which is the step prior to Special Ed. referral.  The school has to provide some sort of assistance tutoring wise during the school year for students who are behind. 

If you are wanting outside tutorials then check with your local school district to see if they have a family center that provides parents assistance with cost and / or  free tutorials in the evening. 

You are doing the right thing by wanting to help your son.  He sounds young and it could just be a maturity thing.  My son is going to be 7 and is entering 1st grade due to state laws and how his birth date lands.  I truely feel that this law has been a life saver for us.  It has allowed him to grow academically and socially. 

< =text/>_popupControl(); I highly recommend the Hooked on Phonics program, as I used it with my son between K and 1st (his K teacher ignored teaching reading, whereas the other K class were darn near fluent by May!!). He started 1st grade reading at a 3rd grade level. The thing is, like any program, you have to be able to focus on the parts that your child needs: it's not necessary to spend a week on letters if your child already knows them!  The BOB books are also very helpful for people who feel that the HOP program is too cliched.

Whatever program you choose, I agree that you should request an eval for other conditions, such as dyslexia. The inability to attend can compound the problems of dyslexia to almost insurmountable levels, and vice versa. Don't worry about your child not being able to catch up once you hit the nail on the head; his maturity level will also have grown by then, and he'll be able to cover more ground. Good Luck!!