Did Currie have anything to say about differences between home-schooled children and those attending the "zero-tolerance" public schools?

Troubling indeed - thanks for such an in-depth review, Bill, especially for something that was for you a "truly cautionary tale"!

Currie extracted much of his information from interviews with troubled kids. I don't recall much about the home-school v. public school issue. Given Currie's focus on "inclusive schools" and increasing the "social net" to help familes, I doubt he thinks much along those lines (I expect because he probably thinks most families couldn't afford to home school their kids). His vision is what he calls a "community of shepards." I have to admit that I question the viability of some of his proposals, but I found it a worthwhile book nonetheless.

super job Bill on an imperative topic. Interestingly, though also a father of four, mine are bookends around the core target teens here, at 20, 17 5 and 1, I have seen the older two come out on the other end of adolescence and the younger two have a long way to go.

I agree with the general assessments and also agree that engagement and unconditional support creates an environment where you can make demands and have high expectations without being overly punitive or threatening. But I also have been very lucky so far: great kids make it easy to be a good parent.