Truancy is intentional, unjustified, unauthorized, or illegal absence from compulsory education. Its absence is caused by students of their own free will and does not apply to excused absences. In the U.S. truancy laws are regulated by local school districts and vary widely across the United States. Penalties include fines or jail time for parents or children. In 2019 Presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren and Beto O’Rourke introduced plans that would require the government to decriminalize truancy at the federal level.
No, but there needs to be accountability for parents who allow their children to commit status offenses.
No, but it should be criminalized based on how many days/weeks the student misses, not that they are just "truant".
No, but make it easier for kids to attend school when they are financially unstable
@B42D5GYIndependent4 days
Yes, there are some instances where unexcused absences are required
This would be a very situation based cause; if anything, the parent/guardian shouldn't be automatically criminalized, there should be an investigation of sorts to find the real reason for student absence over long periods of time.
No, but punishments should not include jail, just fines
School truancy shouldn't cause jail time, but it should be punished by the school district.
yes, as long as the students have good grades it should be excused
Yes, at the Federal level
Yes! But only if the truancy is warranted for good reason like severe illness or mental health.
At a federal level only
Let it be a case by case basis.
No, with an option to appeal based on familial restrictions.
Yes, but the motivation behind truancy should be considered; if truancy is due to simply not wanting to go AND the student cannot perform to the level expected of them at that age, there should be an investigation as to why. Students who can prove they are proficient in their education for their age should be given opportunities for additional learning (potentially tailored to their interest) so they are not bored, but also still learning.
Depends on the student
This needs to be a case by case issue. Example an autistic child who has sleep disruption is up all night through no fault of anyone but his autism but crashes before the bus arrives and sleeps all day regardless of medical intervention. Parents shouldn't be penalized for something like this
No, but it should be re-evaluated to see if they are recognizing this issues that are causing the truancy.
It depends on the situation especially if medical notes are provided
No, but current laws should be reviewed and/or revised as appropriate.
Yes, only if they have a legitimate reason.
If there is little to no reason to be kept from school then it should be criminalized
Yes, but support state and local authorities to address social issues that lead to this issue
They should be made to partake in community service such as safely cleaning up trash.
Schools need more flexibility in determining policies that reflect student achievement and opportunities.
No, but provide a more empathetic stance towards students missing for issues at home
No, but punishments should be less harsh
This is entirely dependant on the situation
The child is responsible not the parent.
Yes, if the student goes to the work or learns independently
I believe that as long as a student is adequately performing in their curriculars they should not be subject to the standard truancy punishments.
Yes, in certain cases pertaining to health or family crisis it should be decriminalized.
It has to be for a good reason, and there should be guidelines.
It should not be a crime, but the student and family should have to face some consequences ie; cps involvement, counseling, parenting classes.
Yes, but add fines every time a student is truant.
Should be handled by the state and not at the federal level.
No, parents need to be accountable for their children's education, but should not serve jail time.
It depends on why a child would be missing.
It should be determined on a case by case basis
No but parents should not be charged. It is the child’s actions not the parents
Yes, Only if it’s a certain amount of days
Depending on the reason. Some people have to work to support their families. As an autistic individual who was tortured at school with no help from the administration, I skipped school so much my teachers didn't know if I was alive. I still excelled and made amazing grades. So we need to look at each case separately.
Yes, if the child is over 18.
Each case is individual and handled in this way
Yes, and the Government shouldn't have anything to do with Education.
Give students rewords to encourage them going to school who are having trouble with the atendence And create a committee to see why the students are refusing to go to school
Yes, as long as the students grades are a B average.
depends on what the student is going through
A student should have more days to be absent or tardy up to a certain amount like 10 instead of 5.
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