Yup-- CCN's second thought is exactly what my perfectionist did with math.

The problems got increasingly worse each year until we finally intervened and determined that she was simply needing actual, you know... instruction. From a live human being. For a few minutes a week, at least.

The other thing I'm wondering is tied to the thought that maybe it's something relatively simple... but if the teacher has booted him from class repeatedly-- he may have MISSED instruction on it.

I know, I know-- shouldn't that have occurred to the teacher, as well? Probably. But I wouldn't assume that.

Schrödinger's cat walks into a bar. And doesn't.