At the risk of being VERY unpopular, I actually like EM. It is probably very frustrating for hard-core left-brainies because of the need to not "just get on with it" but works marvelously with more intuitive kids.If it's done properly there should be pre-tests for the year and for the unit so that DCs can test out of info they know. Also, does the school know that he's doing epgy algebra? I would hit them over the head with that -- and maybe set him up in the classroom working individually.