16-year-old informs his teachers that he is not required to do any of the schoolwork they assign him: 'You can still give me the work if you choose, but it won't get done.'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor
Feb 4, 2026 8:00 PM EST

If he's not required to do work, then she's not required to pass him.

We all went to school with one of those kids who did not do his schoolwork and tried to find a moral justification that made him sound smarter than everyone else. He's refusing to do his homework because school is run by the government, and he doesn't want the government controlling what goes into his head! Scrolling through TikTok is a much better way to spend his evenings. After all, TikTok is completely devoid of nefarious outside influence whatsoever. 

If a kid refuses to do his schoolwork and is openly disruptive in class, his teacher needs to address it. But there comes a point where a teacher cannot force their students to do things. It's not their job to turn an unmotivated, lazy child into a star student. If a teacher can do that, all power to them, but it's nearly impossible when half of your students are apathetic. All teachers can really do is inform their students of the consequences of their actions (or inactions) and follow through on said consequences. That's the only way to make someone really change, yet most school administrators are comfortable with their teachers taking this course of action. They would rather perpetually accommodate their laziest students and pass them along even when they do not deserve it. The more students who pass, the more money the school gets, and that's more important than actually teaching important life lessons.

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  • Portrait of schoolboy with backpack looking at camera while standing at empty classroom
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • The student in this story respectfully informed his teachers by email that he would no longer complete any of his assignments, which is honestly a best-case scenario for a generationally lazy kid. At least his teachers won't have to chase him down and ask why he hasn't completed any of his work.

  • My friend's student claims he is "not required to do work."

    My hs teacher friend recieved this from a sophomore student today. "I would like to inform all of you about the fact that I am only at school for attendance purposes.
    via u/paigeafterpaige
  • I am not required to do any work that is given to me. You can still give me the work if you choose, but it won't get done.
    via u/paigeafterpaige
  • If you have any questions, please contact me one- on-one through email or in person. During school hours: (student email) After school hours. (personal gmail) Feel free to ask whatever questions you want about what I have said, and I will try my best to answer"
    via u/paigeafterpaige
  • BlackOrre I would print out the email and label is as Exhibit A when admin asks why this student failed the class.
    via u/BlackOrre
  • CaptainChewbacca So technically he's not wrong. He's decided he's going to do the legal requirement of attending school. As long as he isn't disruptive you can't MAKE him do work if his parents won't support it. You can (and should) give him all warranted academic consequences, but I wouldn't engage him unless you feel like talking with a very smug 16 year- old. Definitely pass it up to admin, though.
    via u/CaptainChewbacca
  • hymie0 This sounds a lot like those Sovereign Citizen videos I've been watching lately. Option 1 -- parent? Option 2 - lead the horse to water; you get paid the same whether he drinks or not.
    via u/hymie0
  • Teacher standing at the blackboard and pointing at math formula
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • StressNo4566 Honestly I'd meet this student with the same sort of tone. They really aren't being rude or disrespectful and it is ultimately their choice. I think I'd say something like "thanks for letting me know. I will continue to give you the work and any work not submitted will get a 0. I understand you don't intend to complete any, but please let me know if that changes. I am always here to support you." Honestly I feel like this would make my job easier than trying to force a student who w
    via u/StressNo4566
  • iseeyou100 Save email. Teach class. Move on.
    via u/iseeyou100
  • ActKitchen7333 As long as they keep attending, my district would still find a way to hand this student a diploma 2 years later. Lol (but I'm so serious...)
    via u/ActKitchen7333
  • A group of cheerful university students celebrating outdoors graduation
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • ErusTenebre Me: "Dear student, This is technically correct, which Futurama tells me is the 'best kind of correct. However, while you are not required to do the work in general, you are required to do the work to pass my class. I am required to fail students who do not do the work in accordance to my ethics as a teacher and professional. Thanks for the thoughtful email, I do not have any questions at this time. Please do not disrupt other students seeking to complete their work. Thank you for you
    via u/ErusTenebre
  • Economy-Mud-7859 Hi will not graduate and someday, hopefully, when he is not a petulant child, regret his decisions. It sounds like he is a lost cause. His parents won't get arrested for his truancy, but will have to support a lazy adult forever, likely.
    via u/Economy-Mud-7859
  • Forward-Still-6859 And I'm not required to pass you. And you're not required to graduate! If you have any questions, please contact me one-on-one through email or in person.
    via u/Forward-Still-6859

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homework class academics school students email teenagers teacher parenting high school
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