The mere title strikes fear in the minds of most teachers and parents, but is it as scary as it sounds?

The Teenage Liberation Handbook: how to quit school and get a real life education, may be the answer to the student who questions why they are still part of the public school system. Written by Grace Llewellyn, ironically a former middle school English teacher who currently lives in Eugene, the Handbook provides the reader with an alternative plan to traditional schooling. It promotes the indefinite suspension of a student’s time spent in classes, and even gives advice on how to successfully communicate to your parents that your decision is a smart one.

Though countless students may rejoice at Llewellyn’s revelations, not everyone is overjoyed with what the Handbook suggests. Criticism of the book comes primarily from parents who are not OK with the idea of their child “dropping out” of high school.

Along with Llewellyn, there are other teachers who support the aims of the Handbook. Kent Siebold, who teaches English and IB Theory of Knowledge at Cleveland, has used excerpts from the book to teach students in class. Several years ago, he was able to welcome Llewelyn to his classroom as a guest speaker. He says he would recommend the book to all seniors on the first day of school.

Although Siebold has never received any complaints from parents or staff regarding the book, he often hears arguments from students against what the Handbook claims. “I’ve talked about it with one parent,” he says, “but they weren’t angry.” Since 1992, when the Handbook was first published, Siebold says he personally knows of five or six students that have been inspired to leave high school by the book- a significant number considering the pressures exhorted upon students to graduate.

Is the book for everyone? No, according to Siebold. “I think some seem to find that their current situation with schooling fits comfortably,” he says. “Other people feel out of sorts or guilty about not wanting to continue their schooling.”

Olivia Poblacion, Cleveland’s head cross country coach and assistant track coach, ended her academic time before the start of her senior year after reading the Handbook. She first learned of it after reading an article in the Oregonian, which profiled students that began to pursue interests outside of high school after reading the Handbook. “I just realized that at that point in time school wasn’t for me,” she says. A star runner herself, Poblacion earned third place in the 1500 meters in 2004 at the state track and field championships. She did not go to school for four days following the event. “I had to go back to school in order to maintain my eligibility for track,” she says.

Poblacion did not resume traditional schooling the following year. “My mom was really freaked out at first. She thought I was doing so well in school,” says Poblacion. She says her mom came around after she made her read the book. Surprisingly her friends were not as easy to convince. “They thought it was pretty crazy. There’s this association that drop-outs are failures,” she says.

Despite those that doubted her decision, Poblacion has found success in not returning to high school. “It was pretty much one of the best decisions I’ve ever made…It made me more confident in navigating my life.” She has since worked as an intern at a sustainable community in Cottage Grove.

Jennifer Wiandt, Cleveland’s IB Coordinator, offers another perspective on the Handbook. “I haven’t read the book and it sounds interesting. However, I don’t think it’s the answer for everyone.” she says. “I also don’t think it negates the idea of traditional schooling. The paths you take present new options… A lot of people fall into their dreams.”

Whether a student decides to end their schooling or not after reading the Teenage Liberation Handbook, Siebold believes that they will gain something positive from the experience. “I hope that a student would come away with a renewed passion for their own interest and a renewed sense of ownership of their life.”