One more thing to keep in mind....

A whole world of assistance and accomodations open up once he has the special education tag. I can understand his feelings on this, but if an "on paper" label will make the high school experience less painful he might want to consider it.

The advocate will talk to you both about the upside to special education. (reguardless it does not mean that he has to take this option the school is giving him. It just opens more doors for him.)