Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-10-13
WORKING
AGAINST
TRUANCY

Snperintendent of Schools Smith
Is now sending out the new "Notiee
of Truancy" blanks to the respective
teachers In the county with instruc-
tions TO be put in use hereafter upon
the absence of pupils from school
eight times or over through truancy
The blank, which is filled out by the
teacher and sent to Superintendent
Smith, is provided with a summary
of the compulsory education law
printed on the back giving the full
Information regarding the truaney Of
fense. The Summary of the compul-
sorry education law Is as follows:
"As soon as the school opens, the
district clerk must give to the teach
er a revised copy Of his last census
report, showing the name and age of
every child, and the name and ad-
dress of each childs father or guar
dian. II is necessary for the teacher
to have this information in order TO
comply with the compulsory educa-
tion law. Every child in the district,
who has reached tho age of nine
years, must attend school regularly
In session. After the child reaches
the age of fourteen years, he is not
required to attend, provided he is
regularly and lawfully engaged in
some useful employment. II not 50
employed, he must attend until he
becomes sixteen years of age.
''In Rnle Xiv, page 1877, of the
school laws of 1907. teachers are
authorized TO require excuses from
parents, either in person or by writ
ten note In all cases OF absence oy
hardness. or dismissal before the
close OF school. Section 1914 of the
same law provides that the teacher
must count all unexcused absence ;,
and that no excuse shall be accepted
except sickness OF the pupil, or OF
some member of the pupils family,
which makes attendance impossible.
"The compulsory law does not ap-
ply 70 eighth grade graduates, or 10
children who are attending some
other school regularly. II does not
apply TO children between nine and
ten years OF age II they live more
than one and one-half miles from
school, nor 10 older children. II they
live more than three miles from
school by the nearest travelled road
A. the beginning OF the term. and
every four weeks thereafter the
teacher must compare the names %
the children on the register with |
hose on the clerks report, and II
The census shows that there are chill |
iren who are not attending school |
In the district, whose age Is nine |
years or over, and under sixteen |
years. the teacher shomld carefully |
Inqmire Into the cause OF such non
attendance. III at this time, or AT |
my other time during the term, the |
OF anv child amounts In the
aggregate to more than seven half
lays during any four. or less number
" consecutive weeks. the teacher
must Immediately report the truancy
II such child.
when truancy Is reported the
district boundary board will send an
rider TO the truant officer 10 invest
rate the case. A cory OF this order
viii be sent 10 the teacher. II, aft
n investigation. the truant officer
lnds that the law has been violated,
le will send a letter 10 the father or
guardian by registered mail. order
ng him 10 start the child TO school
m the following Monday morning.
Ie will also send copy of his letter
o the teacher, and n the child does
lot start 10 school on the day named,
he teacher must Immediately report
he fact 10 the truant officer so that
ie may bring action against the par
mt or guardian.
"In the administration OF this law
Is the duty OF district clerks ana .
directors 20 give such information
nd assistance as they may be able
o give, and any teacher. director,
Jerk. or other officer who neglects 10
'erform his duty may. upon COM
'laint of any parent or taxpayer I'm
he district. be arrested and fined
rom FIVE 10 twenty dollars. See page
II, School Laws Of 1907"