The Southwest Voice

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Getting up and going to school is difficult for many students. Attendance is a major factor for every student, and for those who struggle with going to school, it can be a detriment to their success.

Often, absences start out as something minor and quickly become overwhelming. Over the years, I have seen many children give up because they have missed so many days of school the amount of work they need to make up feels insurmountable. This is where parents, school districts and states must be strong. Under California Compulsory Education Laws, children between the ages of 6 and 18 are required to attend school. According to current laws, children who miss more than three days of school or are tardy or absent for more than 30 minutes during a day of school three times in one year without a valid excuse are considered to be truant.

Children who attend school on a regular basis have a much better chance of graduating from high school. For parents, making children attend school is a daily battle and something they need help enforcing. With this in mind, parents are notified by schools when their child becomes truant. Schools offer counseling to parents and students regarding truancy and the importance of attendance. Parenting classes are available to teach parents how to communicate and work with their children. If truancy problems persist, students may be required to stand before a school attendance and review board. This board consists of representatives from education, law enforcement, and welfare agencies, who work together to understand why a student is truant and work with parents and children to get on track. If school and district level interventions fail, truancy reports are turned over to the district attorney’s office for prosecution.

Parents have a greater impact on their children — more than anyone else, including teachers. As teachers, we encourage attendance, but ultimately attendance falls in the hands of parents. So, on those mornings when debates about going to school take place, do your child a favor, playfully end the debate by reminding them that they have a job to do!

For more information on California’s compulsory education laws, refer to the State Department of Education.

— Amy Luther is a contributing columnist and a teacher at Warren Junior High in the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District.