School administrators forced the kids to sign, how? Telephone book up side the head? Rubber hose across the shoulders? Drilling holes in their teeth, and then offering clove oil? Did they ask the kids "Is it safe?"
Didn’t think forcing a child of 11 to sign a binding contract was legal.
Kid is told he must sign.
Kid is going to sign.
Sort of like you get stopped by the cops and they ask "can we search your car?" The answer is no but quite often the police imply that they will hold you there until you say yes. So people say yes because they are under the delusion that is the only answer they can give.
Getting back to the subject at hand, nothing a minor signs, especially under duress, had any legal standing.
We’re talking about FIFTH GRADERS here, Einstein. Young, vulnerable, easily browbeaten by adults CHILDREN.
Just the THREAT from adult authority figures of unpleasant actions is one method of unwelcome coercion. I’m certain you know what that is, but I will say it out loud so there is no confusion.
Coercion is *forcing* someone to do something they are averse to through threat. Physical, emotional, or implied threat.