So a student just walked into my classroom in a great mood. Smiles, excited, and ready to talk. I asked why they were so happy, because truancy is not a criminal act anymore. Categorizing students like the internet, I don't believe just anything I hear, but according to this ABC news article, among many others, he is right.
As of yesterday, truancy is no longer a criminal act but a school discipline problem. In addition to that all unpaid fines and outstanding warrants for arrest are cleared. Apparently Texas was only one of two states that had made truancy a criminal act. I have seen the burden truancy fines put on students and families over and over again. Many who can not afford to pay the fines. The issue is now it is a week and half into school, this student is ready to throw a party with all the other students I'm sure, so schools have to rethink their procedures for skipping school. Since schools can no longer rely on truancy courts to provide the most punishment, schools will have to make it a discipline issue. It is an issue schools need to figure out right away because it will not take long for this news spread and for first period attendance to dwindle.
As of yesterday, truancy is no longer a criminal act but a school discipline problem. In addition to that all unpaid fines and outstanding warrants for arrest are cleared. Apparently Texas was only one of two states that had made truancy a criminal act. I have seen the burden truancy fines put on students and families over and over again. Many who can not afford to pay the fines. The issue is now it is a week and half into school, this student is ready to throw a party with all the other students I'm sure, so schools have to rethink their procedures for skipping school. Since schools can no longer rely on truancy courts to provide the most punishment, schools will have to make it a discipline issue. It is an issue schools need to figure out right away because it will not take long for this news spread and for first period attendance to dwindle.
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