V - It most certainly can be the student and their parents. They need to take responsibility for their lives. You are not there to entertain the students, they are there to learn, it is their job too. They have to meet you half way, or at least somewhere in the middle. Do they expect their entire life to be delivered to them on a platter? What does your school admin have to say? I hate writing off students, having been written off myself by a teacher (I was NOT a slow reader, it was my EYES!).

Is there other help for the student (s)? What does interest them? Is there a way to tease from what does interest them into a learning situation? Once you disengage the IPOD, and cell phone?

Big Hugs to you.