Monday, April 30, 2007

Truancy! Maryland Politicans Doesn't Get It!

Many student's truant for many reasons, Here's some:
"One of the most common problems I hear from students is that they can't get up early enough," Rathbun said. "School starts at 7:20, and they have to be at the bus stop by 6 sometimes. Adolescents have problems with that."

Another common reason Rathbun hears: "Straight out, I don't like school."
There are many other reasons student truant from school: Boring curriculum (which focuses only on math, reading, and science. All thanks to No (Rich) Child Left Behind)Bullying is another reason. Poverty, unsafe school environments, environments not conductive to learning... When Americans deal with truancy they often deal with the symptoms than the root causes.
The problem of truancy has drawn widespread attention this year, prompting some area lawmakers to call for tough measures to keep track of the most habitual offenders and leading school officials to crack down on those who constantly skip class.

In its recently concluded session, the Maryland General Assembly passed a measure that would make it possible to deny driver's licenses to students who have too many unexcused absences. Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) is expected to sign it.

During the same session, some lawmakers in Prince George's proposed strapping ankle bracelets on students to electronically monitor the whereabouts of those who constantly skip school. That bill did not advance.
There is a better idea: solve the root causes of truancy, and you will reduce truancy.

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