I'm a new poster on this thread. Thanks middle school teacher for your perspectives. I only wish my DD could have you as a teacher. My DD has the same problems as the OP with failing tests. She is now in high school, and in every single class the grade comes down a full letter grade after finals. She has an IEP, but nothing seems to have changed with her test grades. So frustrating and worrisome for getting into college. She does do well on papers and projects, which helps pull her grades up. In fact the disparity between As on her projects and Fs on her tests is what helped us get the IEP in the first place. No real advice here, but we're in the same place you are, OP.