I know I'm putting carts before horses, but even though I don't have
kids, I've already decided ahead of time that I will not let them, and
I will not sign myself, any "code of conduct" pledges.
 My belief is that good behavior begins and ends in the home, and I
don't feel that I have to sign anything to pledge or prove it.
 What typically happens to parents and/or kids who refuse to sign at
the beginning of a school year?

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Clarification of Question by pcventures-ga on 17 Nov 2004 10:05 PST

I'm referring strictly to public school, grades Kidergarten through High School.

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Clarification of Question by pcventures-ga on 23 Nov 2004 04:25 PST

>As far as what typically happens, parents who teach their children to
>be suspicious of the school's motives typically have the most
>ill-behaved children of all.

This isn't about teaching the suspicion of school motives but
being proactive about making sure my kids ARE taught to behave
correctly in all places - school, out in public and in the home.

There's a scary increase in the amount of control schools
are trying to exercise over what children do outside of school,
and truly scary zero-tolerance policies trying to control
what they do inside of school.

What level of education (primary, secondary, tertiary) are you talking
about here? Is this a state-sponsored school or a private one?

I imagine the answer will be different in tertiary education (which is
not compulsory, so it's easier to refuse admission to people for
various reasons including not signing a pledge) and, in lower
education, whether it's a state-sponsored institution or a private one
(since compulsory education will, I imagine, place limits on what you
can require of children to have them attend your school).

The Codes of conduct I have seen ask that you sign it only to say that
you have seen it and are aware of what the school's expectations
are--they often have a place where you may add your own comments.

As far as what typically happens, parents who teach their children to
be suspicious of the school's motives typically have the most
ill-behaved children of all.