A socieity without second chances?

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http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/cobb/1005/30wrestle.html

James "Jay" Brenowitz is a fifth-year senior at Pope High School who needs a waiver to extend his athletic eligibility after he missed his junior year to attend a residential drug treatment center and did not earn enough credits to graduate last year. He could qualify for the waiver under the Georgia High School Athletic Association, but, to be considered, he first needs the signature of his principal, Charlotte Stowers.

Stowers has not given it.

"We don't want to set a precedent," said Cobb spokesman Jay Dillon, declining to go into specifics because of student confidentiality rules.

end of quote

I admit I don't know the particulars of this cases, ie I don't know why he was in juvenile rehab. But assuming he was simply a drug addict and not a real criminal I fail to see why he can't have a second chance while adult athletes who use drugs get second, third, and fourth chances routinely. I wonder how many teachers and principals in Cobb County have been to rehab. I would think at least a few.

[ret5hd]

1. it's the "criminalization of adolescence"

and the "criminalization of puberty".

[madeline_con]

2. "... did not earn enough credits to graduate last year."

IMO, if they give this kid a waiver because of drug rehab, they have to give them to other kids for other reasons, too.

The reason cited, not enough credits, makes no mention of him being a "criminal". Are there rules prohibiting drug users from being on the team(s)? I'm pretty sure there are.

His dad seems to be twisting the message and turning it into a situation where the kid's being punished for being in rehab. I don't see that as being the case.

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3. I am assuming that while in residential rehab

he was unable to earn credits so he lost his junior year. It is very hard to keep up on studies while in a residential rehab (I speak from experience here). I was an adult while in rehab and only there for a very short time but the day is spent getting you clean and not much if any time is left for studies of any sort.

He needs a waiver not for his grade average but for the fact he is in his fifth year. And yes, those waivers are often granted.

[madeline_con]

4. I thought it was required by law...

that kids in rehab still have to attend academic classes. I thought it was part of American mandatory education up to a certain age.

Of course, a Junior could be 16.

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5. He could have been in some of his classes but not others

He also could have missed enough days before rehab to lose the credits. At my school missing 9 days in a semester, unless you can get them waived, will cause you to lose the credits. Clearly the rehab days would be waived but days he missed due to the habits he probably had as a drug user wouldn't have been.

[madeline_con]

6. Drugs and rehab....

Could be, his parents shipped him off for having a little weed in his room.

Do you have any infoon that aspect of the situation?

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7. none is given in the article

though the fact he is speaking to high schools leads me to believe he had a pretty serious problem.