 | Am I the only one here who sees this as a parent problem? It is not the school's responsibility to make sure a child gets adequate grades. It is their responsiblility to provide minimal educational requirements, that is all. If a parent wants their child to learn, it is the parents responsibility to make sure that happens. This has to be started from birth, not at 15 years old.
If a kid goes into kindergarten not being able to read, that is the parent's fault. If a fifth grader does not know how to label a map of the USA, that is the parent's fault. If a high school student can not read and analyze a piece of classic literature independently, that is the parent's fault.
There is nothing a lawyer can do in this case. What would you want a lawyer to do? Take money away from thousands of kids whose parents have taken the time and effort to make sure their kid's succeed and give it to you? These parents have suffered enough at the hands of those who expect everyone under the sun but themselves to provide character and academic education for their kids.
If you want to help your son, here is how. Go down to the school and set up a meeting with the principal and all his teachers. You want a full evaluation done here. By law, the school is required to give one. If he has delays, he would qualify for lots of special services by the school. Here again, they just don't do these things, you have to be down at the school asking them. You have to do your reasearch and read all you can about what you feel may be wrong with your son and why.
If your son has no delays, you will meet with his teachers on at least a weekly basis, daily if needed. The teachers can give you materials to work with your son at home. If you have a television in your home, get rid of it, or put in in a place where only the adults in the household have access. Your child may have a group of friends over to study-meaning in an open area under parent supervision-but no more goofing off until he can show you that he cares about himself. You must check his homework every day, and make him go back and correct the problems he misses. Get the teachers to write a note home explaining his homework each day, even if he has no homework, have them sign off on his homework list.
This is hard work, especially since you are starting so late. However, after awhile, you will notice that both your lives have changed for the better. I can imagine this young man graduating from high school, going to community college or the Army, then perhaps on to University. On the other I imagine him flipping hamburgers or ending up in jail. The outcome is all up to you as his parent. |
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