I'm concerned about the quality of the language education my step-kid is getting, as well as his mastery of ELA skills (writing, reading, spelling, grammar). Neither his other parents nor his teachers seem that concerned, but I feel he may need extra help. Apparently he's at, or in a few areas of ELA slightly behind, grade level. Everyone else seems to think that he will catch up in the areas where he's behind and doesn't need any extra help. I'm having trouble accepting this, because to me he seems much further behind my expectations for a kid of his age/grade. We do live in a state with an abysmal track record on education, but the school he goes to is supposedly good. I'm from another country, but when I look back on my work from the same grade level (which I can do because my mom saved everything), it seems light years beyond what he is doing in class and would be capable of. Maybe I am out of touch? I don't have much else to compare to so I'm looking for more objective opinions on this matter. Looking at this sample, which I would say represents some of his better work from a recent class assignment (already edited a bit), what grade level would you say this represents? I guess I am interested in a teacher's take on both the grade level of the assignment and the quality of the work itself. Please be gentle - both with me and with him. I'm trying to help and he is a smart kid. 

Concerned about ELA education