Thanks for your responses. I realized after thinking about it, that my real issue is that I completely lost my trust in the school last year with the difficulties he had and their approach that it was all about what was wrong with him (implying ADHD, when he clearly focused well in other settings, just not in that particular classroom). Even after his situation improved, I was still dissatisfied with their assessments. For example, his unit post-tests are categorized by skill and given a B for beginning understanding, D for developing and S for secure. I would look at the test and see that he answered every question correctly, but was given a D for developing on several skills. When I asked, I was told because that is what 1st graders are supposed to be doing, they are not expected to be secure yet. But clearly he was even though it was not reflected in the grading.
SO, I guess the big issue is really not whether I should have him tested or not (because I do think he should be) but whether I trust the school to do it and do it effectively.
I am also very concerned about him becoming alienated from school in the next couple of years, which happened to my DH and made the rest of his schooling an unpleasant period of underachieving. In contrast, my own experiences of school were quite positive in large part because I had teachers willing to differentiate for me and a fantastic GT program that I loved. So I guess I sort of feel like we are coming to a crossroad between these two paths and I really want him to have an experience more like mine.
Finally, he also has some motor skill/motor planning issues that he is receiving OT for, which seem to make writing and to a lesser degree reading a very laborious task for him. So I am also concerned about the impact of these issues as well.
I guess to some extent I am answering my own question for myself, but I appreciate the responses and you have helped me dig a little deeper into my own concerns and reasoning. Thanks!
