What is your son's personality? Is he normally shy except around people he is very familiar with?

My son, now 16, very rarely participates in class discussions etc,never has and it is always mentioned on his reports as an area in which he could improve (even with the teachers with which he has a wonderful rapor).Somehow I don't think that is going to happen! He has never liked to "stand out" and will therefore not willingly draw attention to himself.

You mention that they don't think he is participating the they thought he would. Are you also surprised by this apparent lack of participation?