Not yet chas, but THEY are working on it ... THEY got it out of the public schools didn't they?!?!? ...

And I am in total agreement that we need to change the environment ... Sometimes a kid will get 'lucky' and get through a bad environment in good shape, but far to often that is not going to happen ...
My daughter began her Social Work career working in an outreach program ... she would come home some nights absolutely LIVID because a judge felt a child was better left with his/her 'parents' - even if the parents were strung out druggies who were abusing the kids in ways we would not begin to comprehend ...
I just pray that SOMEHOW we find the answers and people accept them ...
t.
PS chas, I also agree with what you were saying about 'society' putting the burden of "need" on kids when it comes to cell phones, iPODS and the rest ... and IMO it starts with the clothes, and some public schools here in RI are requiring school uniforms which I believe is a step in the right direction ... the kids have certain options on what to wear, but generally it's khaki or blue pants or skirts with a white or blue shirt or blouse ... eliminates all the peer pressure about looking as 'cool' as the next kid ...
And I firmly believe that after a while, as soon as those kids put on their 'school clothes', they will get into a learning mindset ...
t.