The word is commonly associated with college athletics.

     An athlete is red-shirted when they are held out of their sport for a year allowing them to grow and perform at a higher level by gaining an extra year to compete.

     Now it’s become a trend with our children.

     A psychologist tells us the trend of holding kids back to give them a competitive edge in athletics has been on the rise.

     Dr. Jennifer White Baughan says the number of kids being held back has tripled since the 70s, "The question is what kind of balance. Do we have in this country on the actual value added that we are giving to our children when we are moving them ahead?"

     Research does show, if a child is to be held back, the ideal time is kindergarten or 1st grade.

Mason City is trying to close a budget gap for next year.

The district is facing a deficit of $3.5 million.

The superintendent is proposing two special taxes, a hiring freeze and selling an elementary school building.

The state mandated education cuts three years ago and the district says a second levy will help the school's general fund.

A public hearing is set for Monday.

     Just last week a new law was signed in Iowa, in honor of seven year old Kadyn Halverson.  Kadyn was killed while trying to board her school bus last year.

     Now Kadyn's Law could become law across the nation.

     It increases penatlties in Iowa for those who violate school bus stop arms.  
     But now congressman Bruce Braley wants it to become a federal law by October of 2014.

     Braley says, "If they don't do this over the next year and a half they would risk losing 10 percent of all federal highway funds each year until they do."

     Braley's approach into strong-arming states is similar to what was used to strengthen seatbelt and drunk driving enforcement nationwide.