Hi Donna,
Was going to post this message earlier, but my husband had surgery and
has been quite ill.
A friend of mine is really having problems with the school system.  Her
17 year old is really having a tough time.  Months ago her son was receiving
threatening letters from what appears to be gang members.  They went to
the police and was told there is no gangs in the city.  Didn't do anything
at all.  Did of course ask the child to give names though.  The school
district also held this stance.  Well the boy got his ankle broke.  It was
playing sports that it happened.  She noticed he was acting quite funny
since then and finally got it out of him that it was the gang who broke
his ankle so he would join them.  Apparently someone on the team belongs
and was instructed to do so.  He did join and now has become their fall
guy.  I have to add this child has the mental capacity of about 14.  He
gets (did) good grades in school (11th) but emotionally and many other ways
he shows a big mental handicap (this is what I meant about mental capacity).
Kinda slow.  The gang members told him he owes them because he killed a
friend.  Now he never did anything like that, but his mental capacity
does not allow him to reason with this statement.  The school system,
of course, wants him to rat.  He feels he can't because they will be
after him, probably will anyway, but feels much safer not doing so.
She has pulled him out of school.  The only way she feels she can
protect him at this point until they can decide what to do.  She wants
him homeschooled.  He doesn't want to go back to school.  The school
system is harassing her telling her she is contributing to the deliquency
of a minor.  Personally, I think they just want him there so he will get
scared enough to tell.  I understand the reasoning on both points, but
I think they parents and the child need to make the decision not the school.
Anyway, do you know much about requirements to receive a diploma at home?
I realize every state is different, but maybe you could give me an idea
of what your state says and I could help her go from there.  I thought
maybe she should just get him a complete curriculum and add supplements
to it to make it more interesting.  That way his work would be more
supervised.  I told her I would try to help her out this weekend, but
haven't been able to due to family circumstances.  He is an A and B
student so he shouldn't have much problems.  Grades have only gone
downhill since this other problem arised.  Just wanted your input.
She is a person who loves her kids alot, but doesn't know how to go
about things on her own.  Which is another reason I think she should
get a pre-made curriculum for now.  Wanted your input on this.
Thanks,
Regina
... A feature is a bug with seniority.
---
---------------