When my daughter pulled that routine, I cut out her phone and computer privileges and guess what? She became very motivated very fast! When her marks pulled up I gave back her privileges, but she's been a "good student" ever since that little episode in her life. Maybe you should try that and see how it works!

I think some 15 year olds just don't understand the ramifications of their non-academic tendencies - they think high school is just party-time. They're too immature to realize that poor marks now can mean that they fall further and further behind until they can no longer achieve their own goals and dreams. I am speaking from experience. My daughter didn't take her studies seriously and by the time she got to grade 12 her marks were barely passing. Her friends went to college and she went to get a job. Her friends had parties for many years while they studied and her parties ended pretty much after high school. I tried so hard to warn her but it all fell on deaf ears. Like your daughter, mine is bright with "no excuses" for bad marks other than laziness and lack of interest. Maybe you can show your daughter my post - point out to her that kids can party AND study and then find careers and jobs they love instead of being stuck with something they hate for the rest of their lives.

Has it ever occurred to anyone that maybe some kids aren't the academic type? Maybe this young lady likes sports or music or people or has some other passion. School work isn't for everyone. And if a person doesn't do well in school, they can still do well in life if they pursue their passion. I'm a high school drop out myself and everyone told me that I would never get anywhere. Today my multi-million dollar business proves them all wrong. I just didn't like school. I didn't enjoy studying or writing tests or any other part of it. I don't think people should tell kids that they will never succeed just because they aren't doing their homework. Just tell them, "it's O.K. if you don't do your school work; just find what you WANT to do and apply yourself to that with everything you've got."

I agree that some kids just aren't suited for school. But I still think parents should help them get their high school diploma. Sure there are some people out there that will be very successful without it but there are even more who will not be successful at all. You want your kids to have options. If you need to get them tutors to sit down with them after school every day and hold their hand or show them how to succeed, then you should do it. They may complain now, but they'll be happy later when they have some choices in their life.