Here's some feedback - not sure if it applies to you, but it certianly applies to me - LOL!
Sometimes telling the scores will backfire with an inconsistient kid. Some of the old school teachers will act like 'you're a smart kid so you must not be trying' after they have seen the scores. My son got that in second grade even without scores, jsut from his vocabulary.
I would first listen (you can always schedule a 'next step' meeting. I would share that DS wants to get into the advanced classes. I would ask if DS's in school behavior/performance is in line with getting into these courses, and what DS would need to do to met her expectations.
Of course at age 13, it might be a conversation that DS would be better doing on his own, as a sign of maturity, but if you don't think that will fly - go ahead and do it yourself. Get specifics. Talk them over with DS13. You can discuss DS13's career ambitions or take him to a few college campuses to increase the motivation. My son started 9th grade with an interest in reading those big fat college rating books. I was a little desperate to move my son off of the 'I learn for the sake of learning' position and onto the 'OK, High School is time to play ball.'
((Johnny Dangerously is one of my favorite movies. If your son thinks that he should be above 'playing ball' he might get a giggle out of seeing this movie, and Danny DiVito's role.))
My son used the idea that as long as he was learning it didn't matter to kid himself into thinking that he was putting in a reasonable effort. Let's face it, the whole point of putting in a good effort is that every year what will be easy by the end of the year is really, really hard in the beginning. 'Growing' means that one has to do more than what one thought one could do.
My son is 14 now, and he is having a wonderful year. I sure hope that by next year your son will be having a wonderful year as well. We found age 13 to be 'challenging' in certian ways.
Love and More Love,
Grinity
