Hi Meorah,
To start let me just say that I really liked your response, it was very well written and had some very strong points. I think that the issues that you brought up are valid concerns, but I have slightly different views on some.

The kids that are in the AC class are not your typical students that are basically good kids that just lack a good teacher to guide them. The kids in the AC are deeply disturbed and troubled kids, who without the AC would not be in school at all. Now the fact that the AC program keeps these kids in school makes it a success in its own right. They have already tried the conventual way of schooling and it didn't work for them, the AC gives them another chance. The AC gives them a more relaxed self expressive environment to learn in, rather than a regular orientated submissive type classroom.

As far as the class doing no good in representing real world accountability, timeliness and desire I think that you are partly right, it doesn't teach them these things as well as a regular more work orientated/demanding class would. On the other hand it does require them to show up, and be accountable for their daily work assignment. Now most of the kids in the class would be just sitting around getting high if they weren't there. Also these kids all have very rough backgrounds and don't take well to being in a submissive type environment where a teacher is constantly breathing down their neck telling them what do, and treating them like inferior students. Jimmy would basically just treat them fairly, but let them know this is your work for today, do what you want, but get it done or else, "You wanna fuck with me? Then fight me" To these kids this is the environment in which they could get it done.

The bad part about the AC is that the real world work force is not like this classroom, you do have to have bosses that breath down your neck and harass you. Jimmy does a good job of motivating these kids, but does not teach them to deal with being in a submissive type situation. You made a very good argument on this point.

The academic work that is required of the students in AC is a joke. Like you said "they might make trouble, but they are not stupid!" is a good point. For a program like the Ac work it needs to be academically stimulating. The kids need to have individual daily assignments suited to their individual needs.