As from what the internet says "If a student fails the Reading and/or Math STAAR Tests, s/he given two additional opportunities to pass and be promoted to the next year's grade. Districts may decide to give students an alternative assessment on the third try. Students cannot be promoted to the next grade without passing the alternative assessment."
he tried different kinds of wood, coconut fiber, and even the hair because you see the word even in between the the THE, we'll the EVEN makes the sentence seem like the author is thinking that Edison really wants to succeed.
