Maternity leave for high school students?

Maternity leave for high school students?
Do absences really matter when there’s a child at stake?

By Theresa Walsh Giarrusso | Thursday, January 10, 2008, 07:05 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Pregnant students in Denver have asked their high school for at least four weeks of maternity leave “so they can heal, bond with their newborns and not be penalized with unexcused absences,” reports the Denver Post. (Here is the full story.)

The paper explains that normally Colorado public schools use specialized programs or individual education plans to deal with pregnancy.

“Two counselors from East High School approached the school board last month, saying the policy at their school is unfair and inconsiderate because it forces new moms to return to school the day after being discharged from the hospital or face being charged with unexcused absences,” reports the Post.

“East High School administrators could not be reached for comment over the winter break, but district officials say they are reviewing the policy on absences to make it ‘friendlier’ to new moms, said DPS spokesman Alex Sanchez,” the article says.

http://www.ajc.com/health/content/shared-blogs/ajc/parenting/entries/2008/01/10/maternity_leave.html

If a girl became pregnant, she just went to live with her aunt for a while. No one discussed it, and I came from a really small town where gossip was king.

Not saying what is right or wrong, it just looks like today teen pregnancy is glorified sometimes.

though giving a new mom time to bond with her child I think is the best thing a school could do to encourage a girl to come back and finish her degree and maybe move on to college. By not giving leave it just sets the teen up for failure. Though some see a teen pregnancy as a "life failure" it is possible, many have done it, to get through a difficult point in their lives and continue on to be productive members of society, if given the chance to do so.

1. finish school
2. have babies AFTER you graduate

MOST communities have "continuation" high schools for when girls don't follow that routine. They are usually more forgiving on attendance, and offer home studies.

High schools only need maternity leave for TEACHERS..not students.