My younger, adult, 19 year old brother.
He wants to join the Army National Guard. He is very physically fit, and did great on the pre-asvab. His recruiter has been really encouraging him to finish high school as well.
He will have to miss some school in order to go to Basic Training, or something like that.
In order to do this, the principal must sign a paper allowing him to go.
During the request, he immediately said NO. Failure to do well currently was cited as the reason. Missing school will put him further behind schedule.
This has really flustered him, and shot down his plans.
He believes the military is his only shot at getting his life straightened out.
He does not want to drop out and join, and his recruiter said to not attempt it either.
What is the best way to get the principal to OK him joining? Is there any legal action that can be taken? By state law he doesn't even have to attend school, so why does the military need the principals signature? I understand the reason behind getting permission, because he needs to be allowed to make-up the work he missed. If he doesn't get permission to go, they will say it is an unexcused absence and he could face punishment, and not be able to make up missed work. So any thoughts, opinions, or suggestions?
If you need background info.
He has been "struggling" in high school for years.
He does have a learning disability, and has been enrolled in special education since middle school. He has dyslexia, a bad case of it. At 16 years old, he asked me how to spell "bird", so I am not doubting that he has problems taking tests, and writing essays. He can read, not as well as most, but perfectly acceptable. He has been working on it.
I believe he uses it as a crutch at times ( no time limits, extended deadlines, gets to use the resource room, etc ) and slacks off. His classmates say he listens to music, and draws most of the time he is in class. His teachers say he doesn't turn in work, but when asked, he says he forgot to bring it to class, but it's done. He has failed every class he has ever been in, almost. As a senior, he has the credits between a freshman/sophomore.
His GC and principal believes he will graduate next year, not this one. He has been really working on it this year, taking tons of classes, and making up past ones online on NovaNet. He is barely passing, but working on it.
He wants to join the Army National Guard. He is very physically fit, and did great on the pre-asvab. His recruiter has been really encouraging him to finish high school as well.
He will have to miss some school in order to go to Basic Training, or something like that.
In order to do this, the principal must sign a paper allowing him to go.
During the request, he immediately said NO. Failure to do well currently was cited as the reason. Missing school will put him further behind schedule.
This has really flustered him, and shot down his plans.
He believes the military is his only shot at getting his life straightened out.
He does not want to drop out and join, and his recruiter said to not attempt it either.
What is the best way to get the principal to OK him joining? Is there any legal action that can be taken? By state law he doesn't even have to attend school, so why does the military need the principals signature? I understand the reason behind getting permission, because he needs to be allowed to make-up the work he missed. If he doesn't get permission to go, they will say it is an unexcused absence and he could face punishment, and not be able to make up missed work. So any thoughts, opinions, or suggestions?
If you need background info.
He has been "struggling" in high school for years.
He does have a learning disability, and has been enrolled in special education since middle school. He has dyslexia, a bad case of it. At 16 years old, he asked me how to spell "bird", so I am not doubting that he has problems taking tests, and writing essays. He can read, not as well as most, but perfectly acceptable. He has been working on it.
I believe he uses it as a crutch at times ( no time limits, extended deadlines, gets to use the resource room, etc ) and slacks off. His classmates say he listens to music, and draws most of the time he is in class. His teachers say he doesn't turn in work, but when asked, he says he forgot to bring it to class, but it's done. He has failed every class he has ever been in, almost. As a senior, he has the credits between a freshman/sophomore.
His GC and principal believes he will graduate next year, not this one. He has been really working on it this year, taking tons of classes, and making up past ones online on NovaNet. He is barely passing, but working on it.