Early this year, a task force of Metro school, court, police and social agency officials identified reasons that kids miss school in the Stratford cluster. The lure of drug dealing or gang-related activity. Health issues such as teen pregnancy. Community fears about school safety. Alcohol or drug abuse by students or parents.
Family needs, when teens stay out of school to earn money or baby-sit siblings.
But it goes beyond that. We simply must have the support of others. We'll be accountable for teaching the children, but we have to have help to make sure the children are in school. Across the nation, there is a new willingness among police and Juvenile Court officials to step up to the plate. He maintains an Internet site with recommendations and model truancy legislation.