The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-17
THE TRUANT LAW.
s0lne OF Its Defects as Seen by the
Truant Officers of Evansville.
{ Myers, in Inland Educator.

r a. Myers in Inland Educator.
The trial of the law for the past six
months has shown some of its defects,
which may be briefly indicated here of
course, it has been no fair test without the
perennial home for incorrigioles. So far the
tr1ant officer has been, in real effect, little
more than a mere threat No court would
fine poor willing parent for the non
attendance of an unwilling boy-whO has
oVeffode the power of the truant officer.
II has been impossible to punish lad Of
that character, and he has escaped with
The time required for school attendance
is too short. 1t ought at least, to be ex-
tended to the length of term of school in
the township or county in the States having
the minimum or shortest term. And if it
Is not unconstitutional to make eXcep-
mere the time of compulsory attendance
should be made to cover al least 60 per cent.
efthe whole school term.
There is not sufficient interdependence
artharmony existing between the operations
q the truant officer the school boards
Each seems to be doing parts of the same
great work largely Independent of the other
and without an intelligent understanding of
is no power 10 compel any one of these ex-
eeutors TO do what is presumed to be man
qatory in this statute. The truant officer
is obliged TO retrace much of his work to
see whether the County Commissioners
have performed their duties; and if they
nave not there Is no penalty for failure to
Till the requirements put upon them. There
should be reports and stated meetings be-
tween the school boards. trustees, and
Boards of County Commissioners for the
purpose of consulting and reporting prog
'-ess. The law is much like the Articles
Of confederation. which defined powers that
1t failed in some respects to confer upon
the proper executive officers. If the Coun-
~ Commissioners refuse further aid. no
court will or should fine a poor man for not
continuing his child in school, and this re-
tusal the part of the commissioners is
"A Limitation of the ability or power of the
tTuant officer TO comply with the law.
The law obliges the. truant officer to keep
in school with certain exceptions, all chill
.uFen between the ages of eight and four
teen. and provides a suitable punishment
for incorrigibles up to the age of twelve
Children between the ages of twelve and
fourteen are exempt from the penalties of
n parental home. and yet the truant officer
Is required to keep them in school. 1t is
not Just TO require this officer to impose
punishment i'm the courts on parents whose
ircnrrigibe children chance TO lie between
the ages of twelve and fourteen, while par
Fnts whose children are between the ages
or eight and twelve are exempt from a like
infiiction of legal stress That is to say If
child from twelve to fourteen is incor-
rigible. there is no redress He is at liberty
To demoralize the schools and abuse the
authority of the truant officer as much as
lie pleases while u child between eight and
twelve may be punished for milar Of
lenses.
There are other minor matters that might
be named, but for the present we forbear.