I would like to see what was in the code of conduct that the student signed prior to the graduation ceremony. In several articles on this subject that I have now read, almost all of them mention the fact that the student (and family attending the graduation) were required to sign a code of conduct, but none of the “reporters” deemed the contents of the signed code of conduct to be important enough to include in the story. Kind of makes me wonder if those minor little details might detract from the outrage towards the school that the reporters/editors want to convey.
If this was a private school I would agree with you. The contract would have been **freely** entered into by the student and his parents. The parents would have **freely** agreed to the school policies when the child enrolled.
But...This is a government school. The kid is required by law to attend. He is under police compulsion, unless his parents can ransom him or pay a freedom of conscience tax in the form of homeschool or private school expenses.
If there was an agreement signed between the student and the government it is hardly freely contracted. The student and his family are given three choices by the government:
1) submit to the government’s will and restrict free speech.
2) Pay a freedom of conscience tax ( in addition to police compelled school taxes) in the form of homeschool or private school expenses.
3) Drop out of the government indoctrination camp, and be punished by the government by not being allowed to graduate.
I am reminded of the Godfather's “an offer they can't refuse.”
My kids and I were wondering if this is one of those coerced situations, where the kids are REQUIRED to sign a code of conduct, or they aren't permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony. They'd get their diplomas mailed to them but can't walk across stage without guaranteeing that they'll *behave* themselves, whatever that means, and it seems to usually mean what the administration chooses it should mean.
I'm wondering about the specifics of the *agreement* myself.
Even if it does say that you can’t blow a kiss to your mom, I doubt very much that it says they can take away your diploma as a punishment. One would also like to see where it is that such a regulation is authorized by law. Most states specifically identify the requirements for graduation. I bet that’s not one of them.
My suspicion is that the real rub here is that the article implies that the student was denied his high school diploma. I suspect that they simply ruled that he could not pick it up at the graduation ceremony.