The third time most likely won't be a charm.

I have a stunningly unmotivated student who has taken me twice the last two semesters for basic comp; each time he has failed, his final grade this spring being lower than his score last fall. He has signed up to take me again this fall for the same course.

I'm not really sure why, other than he knows my style and presumably knows what to expect. But I just can't see what he's going to get from me the third time that I haven't already offered the first two times. He isn't without ability, but his time management and motivation are poor, and his writing skills just don't cut it. And he's as much admitted to my colleague (who failed him in a college success course) that he doesn't want to work all that hard in college.

He seems to have his "eyes on the prize" but not on the work it's going to take for him to read and write at even a rudimentary college level. His placement scores were low; he's been plotzing along part-time in learning support courses since last fall and has not passed a single one yet, math or English. This fall is the first time he'll take reading, from what I can tell.

In the GA public college system, there's a three-strikes rule; if he doesn't make at least a C in basic comp next time, he will be banned from attending for three years. I know that seems harsh, but it's the rule.

I'm half tempted to contact him and urge him to sign up for another section of basic comp. Maybe he would benefit from another instructor's presence and skills; maybe he would find the motivation he needs. Or, more likely, he will continue his unsuccessful ways. Unless someone rips him a new one before this fall, I just can't see that much will change. As well, I'm also tempted to urge him to drop out for a semester or year, make some money, come back when the time is right.

What would y'all do, faced with this scenario? Am I just trying to pass him off to someone else?