Graduating - what do you think about this?

Bee_Kay wrote: I can't believe this school district

My SD hasn't attented school since Nov/Dec. She actually failed the first semester.... but she went to the Dr and got an excuse for morning sickness. So the teachers went back and changed her grades to D-'s. She didn't have to work to pass (credits to graduate).

Anyways, all school year people at the school have been calling me asking me to "do something" to get my SD butt in gear.... to try and get a hold of her because she is in danger of not graduating.

Her last report card was straight F's. She was put on Homebound schooling (do the work at home and turn it in). She didn't turn anything in at all. So, a couple weeks ago I get a phonecall, again, to "do something" to help the school get her in motion.

I tell them, I'll do what I can, but it's kind of hard when she doesn't answer the phone.

I got online to look over her grades and noticed that 2 of her required classes have been dropped.

I call the school to inquire about this. The response I get "I'm sorry, but she is 18 and she will have to sign a waiver for us to tell you about her education."!!! HUH?

THEY have been on my butt for months now discussing her education with me!!

So, it looks as though she is not required to do ANY of the work that the other kids are doing to earn their diploma, but they will hand one over to her for doing nothing.

Does that make sense??

CosmetologyMommy replied: It does not really seem fair but it happens. I know many people I went to hs with that passed because if being in sports and I guess they were so busy training they did not have time to study.

Bee_Kay replied: Yeah, I've run into some kids that are also in 12th grade and they aren't happy that she is being passed through when she hasn't turned in any homework and she hasn't taken one test.

MamaJAM replied: The last phone call you got -- was that before her 18th birthday? Since, technically, you are responsible for her education up until her 18th b-day....it would make sense that the school would be contacting you (I know that because of the issues you have with her - you can't get her to go...I'm just saying what the 'legal' side is). Now that she's 18 - and the school has made it clear that she is legally responsible for her own education now - you should not receive any more phone calls. I can't imagine the school letting her graduate -- especially if she dropped required classes (legally, I doubt they can).

luvmykids replied: How is that possible? I really can't believe she could graduate regardless!

Bee_Kay replied: the last phonecall I recieved was after she turned 18 and I continue to get progress (or lack thereof) reports of her failing grades, even though she changed her address.

I don't know what the school is up to. They told me that Homebound schooling is for kids that are ill to attend school.

MamaJAM replied:
It's odd that they would keep callin after she turned 18. Well - honestly - if they call again, tell them what happened when you tried to get info on the classes she dropped. Since she is an adult now...and she's obviously got MAJOR issues...I say - wash your hands of it. If she doesn't care enough to even try...then why should you get an ulcer over it. You have enough worries with her right now. Hopefully, down the road, when she matures - she'll care enough to get her GED.

CosmetologyMommy replied: I really hope she continues and gets her GED. JMO and from the experience I have seen in friends and family members that have dropped out, it is hard to get a really good job, that is just my experience though.

JP&KJMOM replied: Schools can be really weird about that stuff. I have had SEVERAL confrontations with my stepson's school over him graduating in May. Thay are making him take 2 classes that he is not required to take to graduate instead of letting him get out early and go to work for his co-op class. I told him to only concentrate on the classes that he HAS to pass to graduate and forget the other 2. Believe me if he can pass English IV and Economics and graduate we are having one heck of a party.

Luckily he graduates before he turns 18. I know it is hard but maybe you need to go pick her up and make her go to the school with you to resolve this.

luvbug00 replied: I'm sorry but that is rediculas I attended school all threw my pregnancy until june 23 and my friends graduated and I gave birth on the 1st of july. you can go to school pregnant. I had morning sickness. Unless she is required to be on bedrest i think it's the schools fault for giving her the cop-out. NOT your fault she isn't attneding what she needs to.

Bee_Kay replied:
Thank you for sharing that!
I have told the school that "pregnancy is not a disability". She was never on bedrest, she simply had morning sickness, so she had a doctor write her an excuse for the days she had missed..... BUT, there was no expiration on that excuse, so it is continuing and it was written in December.


This is what I am thinking is going on.....

Each school day, the school district is given a certain amount of money per student per day.
If they "force" her to physically attend, she might just drop out. If they "appease" her and continue to allow her on homebound schooling..... they still get the funding for her as an active student.

luvbug00 replied: I'm sorry if I came across harsh it's just that I stuffed my prenant belly behind many a desk and ralfed and came back to class every day for 6.5 months and I get so angry when people abuse the perivlage of being pregnant and still being given the chance ot finish their education. My school wanted me to leave as to not encurage the other girls that pregnancy is cute or somthing. I told the supervisior to his face to f* off and i wanted to finish school in MY school with MY friends . But at any rate regarless of the money they are causing somone to loose their education. Maybe you should call her doctor and have him call the school and tell them when that note was written..

Bee_Kay replied: Actually, because she is 18 and not living at home, I really don't have any say whatsoever as to her choices

But no, you didn't come across harsh at all, I completely agree with you.

ETA:
She is given the priviledge of graduation, without having to do the work. She gets to sleep in, lounge around, watch tv, hang out with friends, ect, and is rewarded with a diploma. Some of us had to actually put ALOT of effort in to earn one