Can a teacher tell to what classes you can and cannot take? ?

Question

I recently in rolled in an Advance Placement class at my high school (I will be a junior), in fact--i in rolled in 3, along with one honors class. Upon doing so, i soon realized the work load that will come along with these challenging classes. School has not started yet, but i went in to my school counselor to request a form to drop one of my AP classes. THis form must be signed by a parent AND the teacher of the class. Well i have had it signed by my mother, yet my teacher REFUSES to sign it. I feel as though, i have a personal right to decide my own education. Can a teacher really do this?And oddly enough, Are there any laws against this? If not, any pointers on how i can fight/argue this?

thanks. =]

Answer 1

Why doesn't your parent go and talk to the school? Why are you doing this?

Answer 2

There are no laws against it.  My only question would be: Did you let the teacher know why you wanted to drop?

You are right in guessing that the teacher wants you to challenge yourself.  You may know your own limits, but you are also a teenager (sorry to have to pull this card) and it is time to move beyond your limits, especially as a student who is obviously college bound.

As a teacher I have, in the past, refused to release a student from an honors level class.  I did so because I thought the student was short changing herself, and trying to find the easy way out.  I knew that she had the ability, skills and motivation.  I also knew that it would help her when she applied to colleges.  In the end she passed all of her classes just fine, and later thanked me.  I have also had situations when this back-fired, but that student was playing his divorced parents against each other and really didn't care about his grades despite his ability and skills.

Is it possible to start the class, then make a decision after a week or so?  You may find that you are able to do all of this with no problem.  If not, readdress the issue with the teacher.  If he still refuses, go to his supervisor.  Don't get your parents involved until after you've spoken to the teacher's supervisor.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I don't know about laws on this, but I've never heard of a teacher refusing to sign a drop form for a class before the class even starts.  Talk to your counselor again.  This seems absurd.