Good news and bad news.

The good news is that Michael technically passed the 3rd grade. Yesterday was his last day of school and his report card came home with passing marks. Cs & Bs. And a 90 in Science. The good news does go further in that he passed his Math TAKS on the first try.

The bad news is that he failed his second attempt at the Reading TAKS. In Texas, 3rd graders must pass both the reading and math standardized tests in order to be promoted to the 4th grade.

On the 11th kiddo goes to summer school for a month which will prepare him for his 3rd attempt at the reading TAKS.

Jerry and I have decided, that regardless of whether or not kiddo passes this third attempt, he will be repeating the third grade.

Why bother having him take the test then? Kiddo's reading comprehension is reprehensible. I have no fucking clue how he was managing 3rd grade reading back in Maryland. His reading comprehension causes problems with his math as well, as they do a lot of word problems. He was in specialized tutoring to prep him for his second attempt and his score improved very much. We are hoping that this month of reading focus will continue to build on that and get his reading level closer to the 3rd grade level it is supposed to have been. Taking the test again gives him more practice, and hopefully we can get through to him that speeding through it and being the first done is Not A Good Thing.

Also on the plan for this summer is to (finally) have him evaluated. Hopefully we will get some answers and a plan to help him.