Yes, the boring stuff can get overwhelming, that's a great point! I think it's ok for ds to daydream in class here and there, but all day long isn't getting anyone anywhere.
This reminds me somewhat of the book 'Outliers', where part of the formula that the author worked up for life success was a 'sense of entitlement', but I always thought that was a bit negative and 'rick kid' sounding. Being willing to stick up for yourself and try again, or ask questions when you don't know why you're not moving ahead the way you think you ought to...well, that sounds like perseverance to me.
I like the idea that people are working on a way to measure this, and hopefully get kids going in the right direction on it!
