Hello V.:
This is really simple...hold him back yourself. But hold him back deterimined to work with him ALL YEAR long. That does mean during the summer. Because you are correct, it will get harder an harder for him and he will lose interest. If he is not caught up and on track, he will totally fail in middle school or be place in a special ed class, where he will lose what little self esteem he already has! (Not that I am putting down special ed, because it is a Godsend where and when it is needed, but too many children are misclassified and stuck there when it is not nescessary.)
If he is behind in middle school, guess what? He WILL be behind in high school! Every year in every state, the standards to graduate go up, so if he is behind, he will not make it!
Go to the bookstores that are designed for the teachers and purchase workbooks for him. I will start with workbooks that are designed for a grade below him. Even get him a couple of books for kindergarten, there may be skills that he missed on that level. As he improves, go up on the books' grade levels.
He also needs to build up his self confidence and to encouraged. Tell him that you know he can do this work and that you believe in him! Get him something that can be used as an incentive to want to do this extra work and to do it well. Also, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, check whatever work he does so that he knows you will always look at it. That way he won't feel compelled to "skip" over the work you assign him. When he makes a mistake, tell him that it is okay because that is how we learn. Don't put him down but be serious and consistant with the extra work. Let him know that you are not playing with him!
Let your son know coming out of the gate, that this entire summmer will be spent on doing school work. That does not mean he will not get to play or have fun, however, he will have a responsibilty to himself and to you, to do a certain amount of work six day per week. (I'd give him Sunday off!)
My children (I have three- 22 years, 21 years, and 10 years) had to do certain subjects PRIOR to going outside to play. It became routine for them. From 8 in the morning to 12 in the afternoon, they had to do so many pages from different workbooks. As they got oldet the assigments changed, for example my oldest had to write letters to governors or other indiviudals like that. My daughter who hated to read, had to wrtie many a book report-detailed book report. I would also make up test for them to take. They still got to play and even do their chores, but they knew they had to do "schoolwork" regardless of what the other kids did. (Yes, V., my oldest two still talk about those summers!)
In his classroom, go to the teacher and tell her that you want his desk moved. She may have to move it to the front of the classroom or right next to her desk, but move it. Also, take sometime,(you can) and just surprise the both of them and visit his class. Let him know that you are watching his behavior. Sometimes children who don't behave well are "picked on" by the teachers so it becomes a daily "who's gonna win this" battle. If you observe that, stop it!
Have conferences other than the "Parent-Teacher" conference day. Let them know that you are an involved parent and that you are taking your son's situation seriously!
You're his parent and your job as his parent is too not only protect him but to do what is best for him because you love him and want the best for him. (I want you to let him know that!)
Those other children are also not behaving well because they too probably have some type of learning difficulty. So...if you have the patience and the time, take a group of those misbehaving children and read to them or help them with their classwork. Maybe even meet with their mothers and see if you can work together.
I'd also take him for walks with the baby and make those outings "field trips", meaning talking about what you see or him coming home writing what he did or saw and maybe making a picture about it. (It is my favorite time of year, fall, so he can write about a lot of what he sees this season!)
There is all sorts of stuff you can do so good luck and I hope this works. Even if you just do one of the above it might make a change in his little life.
Just try this for this year and see what a difference it makes. But you probably will have to hold him back which will not be a big deal, just work with him!
I know that my child's district has passed a new policy that students will not be passed on if they haven't made the cut and I think that as they are attempting to make "No Child Left Behind" work, schools are having to become more accountable and get their act together.
If you have any questions contact me at ____@____.com faith and get busy because you do have some work to do but you can do this!
Good luck!