news-record.com

Megan Lambert's struggle is a common one for teen parents: 7 out of 10 adolescent mothers drop out of school before they have earned their high school diploma, according to the Robin Hood report "Kids Having Kids."

Fewer than one-third of teen mothers ever finish school.

Many teen parents may be unaware of their rights as North Carolina public school students, which entitle them to programs and services aimed at helping teen mothers complete school and earn their diploma.

All pregnant students in North Carolina have the right to stay in school and participate in all regular classes and extracurricular activities. They may also attend alternative school programs, such as night classes or homebound education.

All schools are required by law to offer homebound education to a student when it is medically necessary.

Once a homebound system is approved for a pregnant student, a teacher from that student's school will bring assignments to the home of the student and provide individual instruction.

Legally, public school officials may not discriminate against a teen mother in any way, force that teen to stop any school activities without a doctor's instructions or require that teen to take part in activities that a doctor has informed the school the teen cannot perform.

Absences with a doctor's note must be considered excused, and a teen may not be punished for excused absences related to a pregnancy.