It's worth noting that his writing is not where everything else is. It's probably 1st grade, but not high 1st grade.
The variability in first grade written product is pretty stunning. There are kids whose letters are legible but can't spell well enough that you can make out the words; kids who run everything together with no spaces but write gorgeous prose; kids who are still working on making their letters face the right way. All kinds.
If your kid is ambitious (sounds like), he may rise to the level of what's around him quickly. Or not. But I am not sure I'd want handwriting alone to determine placement. It's a factor, it matters to the teachers, but it's not the only factor. If he were in a place where he was behind in HW, but getting math and reading that were closer to his level, do you think he would thrive?
Have you gone to look at K and first grade classes? I find that really helps me get a handle on what I'm signing up for.
The problem is that HE does really seem to care, a lot. This was such a surprise, because he has always seemed to be my less driven child. Maybe there is something else going on in his current environment that is not good (I don't know what--it really seems fine) and next year will be really different.
Could be. Have you looked at the Iowa Acceleration Scale? (We got a copy of the manual through ILL.) That has criteria that help you think through whether a skip is a reasonable idea.
My feeling is that you shold not worry about the eventual placement in the magnet (be that repeating 2nd or moving ahead); your goal should be to put him in a good learning environment for the coming year, knowing that you'll figure out the next step next.
DeeDee
