Hi Gail and welcome.
I have some of the same questions that JJJ had.
"Why, specifically, does the teacher think he needs to be held back? Is it because he doesn't complete the work in class for her, because he can't complete the work for you or her, is socially immature?"
Since you already have a meeting scheduled, perhaps you could contact the teacher and have her bring any work that she holds in the classroom (at our school, difficult child doesn't bring home most tests and some classwork - they keep it until end of grading period when we get a big envelope full). Ask the teacher specifically, as JJJ's quote says, WHY she recommends he is held back? It is clear that your son can do the work since he does it for you. It is up to the teacher to let you know what is going on in the classroom that she feels is preventing your son from doing the work. Is he being obstinate, is he being disrespectful, is he playing around when he should be working, is he just staring off into space?
Have there been any changes in his home life since the school work denial began? Does he have friends at school?
You are right to be meeting, and right to no accept grade repetition unless you specifically know what is up. You may want to request the testing at your meeting with the counselor and the teacher. You will have to sign off on a permission form for the testing to be done.
In the meantime, perhaps talking to your son about how smart he is and well he does his work at home would be a start. Then begin to question why the work in not be completed/done at school.
The school needs to come up with solutions not bandaids. Stick to your guns and go over to the Special Education board and archives.
Glad to have you with us.
Sharon
