Ausgirl - I think your post was fine - I also think it is unfortunate that your post which was really asking about homework in a specific situation has been derailed into a more philosophical discussion about homework by the posting of the link to Alfie Kohns stuff. Personally from what you describe this child is slipping through the cracks in my opininon and none of us have suffcient information to be able to say anyone is at 'fault' - is prob a combination of things. Could you suggest to the girl that she speaks to her teacher?