And there are academics and there is school...and in today's age there is a big difference in academic success and school success.
I have a son that really wants to be an writer but he probably will not have success on the school system's NCLB writing test (given 4th, 8th and 10th grades). Awesome potential as a writer, not very good chance at even passing answering a stupid prompt in 1 hour and meeting their criteria (although he can do every step of the task individually). Just the way it is.
He will take the 8th grade test this year. If he doesn't pass it, I don't think there is a problem (he gets nearly straight As and will do nearly perfect or perfect on the math, EOC Algebra test, and reading portion of the test and so they will just place him in 9th grade). And he can write well thought out paragraphs and essays with correct grammar, usage and mechanics. He just doesn't do well on the writing test.
If he can't pass 10th grade writing test (with the option to retake it several times) they won't let him graduate. He might end up homeschooling 11th and 12th grades.
