As far as the good grades in core subjects- he was in 8th grade (middle school) last year and missed over 20 days before his incarceration in Feb. and never took his standards of learnings tests. Once he was inacarcerated, they put him in detention, psychiatric hospital, and then commitment to state Department of Juvenile Justice so while technically he had education, he didn't have much. Because of this, the facility school put him in remedial 9th grade classes over the summer to see if he was ready to go to 9th grade. So while I'm very pleased with the grades- they were remedial 9th grade classes. Since he did so well they have him in regular classes now for the regular school year and they are giving him the opportunity to earn an advanced diploma. He's now taking advanced english, biology, algebra, civics, PE, spanish, keyboarding, and a required JROTC class.
As far as PE, he clams up and will do something physical as an alternate but won't play basketball with boys in Department of Juvenile Justice. Oh well- I'm not sure what to do about it. I was given the impression that since difficult child was willing to run or sweep a floor instead of participating in sports that this was acceptable- as in "passing" but obviously that's not the case. Unfortunately the swimming was not a part of the PE class- neither is the JROTC. I wouldn't be worried about it except that kids have to have PE credits for high school graduation and difficult child just can't get over his sensitivity about other guys feeling like he doesn't match up. I understand his feeling insecure but obviously, he needs to find a way to deal with some of it. Hopefully, it won't be as bad once he's out of Department of Juvenile Justice.
Since you all seem to be reminding me that difficult child has done very well, I will have to write him and give him praises! Thank you!
I failed a PE class in junior high school myself- it was because I told the teacher that I didn't like her. LOL! But I worry about difficult child's severe concern about other boys' approval that it is stopping him from doing something like this.