The driver's license bill would change the Michigan Vehicle Code to allow for the suspension or delay of a license if a student is truant. Intermediate school districts would be allowed to develop their own definition of truancy. This time, they said, they have stronger backing from schools and the Prosecuting Attorney's Association of Michigan. Nancy Campbell, assistant superintendent in Berkley schools, said she has seen parents drop kids off up to two hours late for school with no valid reason. She said the bills would give more weight to attendance policies.
Truancy is a problem across the state.
It's not just a problem in urban districts. Peters said the driver's license bill could be a major incentive for older students to stay in school. For younger students, the bills would make sure parents are involved. The bills also would allow the Family Independence Agency to get involved in cases of educational neglect. Until now, the FIA hasn't addressed educational neglect if there is no evidence of any other kind of neglect, Peters said.