My comment is that while you were being taught a skill that you chose to not use, others in your class may have chosen to use it. Since the whole class was taught, the whole class had the choice. If you were taught to write it then I assume you can read it when you choose to do so. We want the education process to give everyone the ability to choose which skills they use, not limit their choices. I'm, curious though, what things are your son learning that you had not heard of?