THIS WAS ME!!!

I'm a HUGE procrastinator, because I KNOW I can get it done fast if I have too - plus that makes it more challenging (i.e. more fun!) but it drove my parents CRAZY! My grades didn't reflect what I could do/did do, because like your son, I wouldn't turn stuff in. I aced tests without studying because I HAD to take them in class, couldn't opt out of that. This was a BIG problem in about middle school - high school was a little better because I was in a program that catered to kids like me. We had more projects and stuff that we'd be interested in.

Then college? Was AWESOME. I FINALLY liked school because I could take the classes I wasnted (for the most part) and I found them fun and interesting and there was WAY less "busy work."

For me, it was understanding that I HAD to work hard in HS to get to do the fun stuff in college. That did help in motivating me, but it really is challenging....

That was me, too! I was more motivated when I was interested in the subject matter or when I really liked the teacher. I hated busy work, especially in subjects I HAD to take.

I do realize this post is almost older than dirt; I also know this is a never ending problem for parents with gifted kids.

I was one and then I spawned two more. Weekend breakfasts at our house were tons of fun! No one in a rush to be anywhere, wonderful conversations. Sorry, back to the problem at hand. Most states have special program funds allocated for "Special Needs" children and guess what? Those little wonders who do Calc & Trig in their heads and the one across the table who replies to you from works of Shakespeare, they fall under that "Special Needs" category. Special Needs encompasses both ends of the spectrum the challenged as well as those who challenge. The state's don't like to advertise these grants work both ways. I was told about this wonderful resource by a college professor as well as the Statute applicable to my State.

Contact your Governor's Office (he or she has a ton of interns and aides being paid by your tax dollar, don't be shy about using resources you've already paid for) and ask them for a copy of the Educational Special Needs Rules and Statutes for your state. Read it until you know it inside out and then go to your child's principal. Inform them your child is bored with the regular classroom activity and if he/she is not accommodated, you will request a Core Evaluation be done and your child be taught at his/her level as he/she is entitled to according to Sect XX Paragraph XX of the State Educational Statutes. You must be prepared to show where your child is ahead of the ritual classroom work and be tough. Stick to your guns and bring your A Game, all the way down to the suit, power tie, or 4" heels, depending on who you are. Better yet, double team them.

That Core Evaluation is the base they will use to establish just how bright your child is and it could land your child in a private prep school at the State's expense if they do not find away to accommodate within their own hallowed walls.

Good luck.