>>Since school is compulsary until age 16, and it's a public school (as far as I can tell), I'm with the parents. It doesn't hurt him or anyone else to have long hair. I can understand a policy of requiring hair below the collar to be pulled back or braided, but cutting is ridiculous. Our schools have dress codes, but many young men have long hair. I say, As long as the boy wishes it, Fight, fight, fight! :o) I guess that while he is missing out on the socialization aspect of school life, he is gaining by one-on-one instruction. I'd question whether or not that teacher is qualified to teach all subjects (a problem with many high school in-school suspensions) but at that age, probably so.
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>>OK, joking aside....there's a bit of a deeper issue here. Whether we're talking about the 70's', 80's, or today - teachers (elementary, middle school, high school) often say that one of the bigger distractions in school is kids going out of their way to be "different" in non-intellectual terms.
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>>I honestly think parents should take a harder line stance on their kids distinguishing themselves by how they think and perform in school, rather than by aspects of their appearance. When my daughter is 12, she'll be setting herself apart from others by cleverly quoting Aristotle - not because of her hair or clothes. If I had a son, I'd only let him have long hair if he also showed some depth.
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>Good luck. By the time you're dealing with teens and pre-teens, you generally learn to choose your battles. Hair length (or color) is rarely important enough to be one of them.
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>A simple rule goes a long way in those years: Nothing permanent. So grow your hair out or shave it or braid it, or grow a beard (well, not Katy, I hope <g>) or wear stupid t-shirts or go to school without a coat in winter; fine. Piercings (other than ears for girls), tattoos, etc. No way.
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>Tamar

What is it with teenage boys and winter coats? It must be universal that they refuse to wear them! They may wear a dozen t-shirts to keep warm, but put on a winter coat? No way. I never got that but it was like that every year here with the teenage boys. With the girls it was the shoes. All the teenage girls would wear winter coats (had to be cute ones) but they were hooked on flip flops (Sperries) in the winter! It drove me nuts, but I let it pass. The only time Haley would wear regular shoes was to work (required), to her graduation (again required to walk across the stage), and if it was snowing and then she would only wear boots if they were cute. I was willing to pay for cute boots every winter :o) It was actually quite funny at the store, the school, the mall, everywhere watching moms trying to pretend they didn't notice that their teenage girls were walking around in flip flops and wearing a winter coat. That was the most ridiculous sights I think have ever seen :o) It could have been worse. :o) At least they were healthy, safe, and sober :o)