Child Cannot Attend School Because Parent Won't Say He Understands Student Handbook

[gloria]

A close friend of mine was told by the public school that if he did not sign a paper saying that he understood the school handbook that his child would not be allowed back into school.

School started this week and the fist day of school my friend's child brought home a handbook and told his father he needed to sign the back page and return it to the school the next day.
The father glanced thought the book. He read what needed to be signed and it said that he had received a copy of the hand book and he understood its contents. The father who has never even been able to complete much more than a pamphlet his entire life did not understand its contents. The father crossed off the word ‘UNDERSTAND’ and signed the form acknowledging that he had received the handbook.

The child was removed from class the next day and told by the vice principle that his father had to sign the form with the word UNDERSTAND in it or he would have to find another school to go to.

My friend has always suffered from attention deficit disorder and was even in some special classes when he was in school for his learning disability. He has always been a hard worker and done well for himself. Over the past few years due to a hormone deficiency he has a much harder time concentrating and remembering things. I have seen him say someone’s name in one sentence and in the very next sentence he can’t remember the same name. His work and his income have been greatly impacted due to his condition. He cannot afford doctor recommended hormone replacement therapy, he had tried it for a while but didn’t seen an improvement. It is so bad that I have told him he should apply for disability.

I know the simple thing to do would be for him just to sign the handbook saying he understand it even though he does not but he and I agree that you should not have to lie in order for your child to attend a public school.

Thank you for any suggestions.

[flyingron]

If a parent can't understand a handbook targeted at a school child, perhaps foster placement is in order.

Frankly, I think the removal is inappropriate, but I'm having serious doubts about the story.

[aardvarc]

If dad can't understand a school pamphlet, how can he be expected to understand things like warnings that come with medications, instructions on electrical gadgets, etc.? Is dad a licensed driver? (Another common task that involves the understanding of a manual, along with the ability to pass a test on that manual.)

[gloria]

To the doubters: If you are a real attorney and are willing to give some legal advice please e-mail me your name and office number and I will have him call you.

The dad is not an idiot and I am sure he took his drivers license test when he was very young. He has a hard time reading and remembering and gets confused with some things. The child drives, works, and helps out his dad financially and with his work.

[Mr. Knowitall]

How about sitting down with your friend and helping him read the handbook, explaining any portions that confuse him, such that he can sign the document? If you're not willing to do that, perhaps dad can try explaining to the school that he's functionally illiterate and will need some assistance before he can state that he understands the handbook. Or, given that the child is old enough to drive, how about the child helps his dad understand the handbook? If dad does not claim a need for assistance, the school is likely to infer from his refusal to sign that he is being unreasonable and obstinate and won't cooperate in holding his child to the school rules.

As you were told when you posted, laws vary by state and you need to identify your state.