At 09:42 PM 10/20/2000 EDT, you wrote: >This may be off topic, but I really gotta let off some steam. > >My 5 year old is rebelling and refuses to return to kindergarten... My sympathies. Judy. But kudos to you for investigating what really goes on (I wish more people would - I think they would be appalled) Your son is quite wise and must have a well developed sense of himself to realize it was not good for him to be there. You must be raising him right. I wanted to offer an alternative to home schooling. I am very involved in the charter school movement, and am a big advocate. They are funded through the district, but are self-governing. You create a charter (contract) with the regular public school board to show accountability in exchange for your freedom on how to run the school. It is a bit of work to put together, but well worth it, IMNSHO. If home schooling works for you, and you can keep it up all through through the coming school years, that's great. Or, if you wanted to set up a charter, you could home school until you can put it in place. I would contact other parents with your concerns, and get other interested parents involved to spread the work load out. Please email me for websites, contacts etc. if you are interested. (We are really off topic now!) Good luck to you and your wonderful son. "Don't let the bastards keep him down." (quote from ???) Paleo warmth, Louise