[Baltimore Sun] Punish parents when kids skip school | READER COMMENTARY
Read Time:1 Minute, 6 Second
The recent editorial, “Battling chronic absenteeism: Baltimore must do more” (Nov. 20), attempts to refine the analysis to improve proposed solutions. Glaringly absent in this, and other articles I’ve read, is the role of parents. Simply put, parents are legally responsible for the acts of their minor children and should shoulder the primary accountability for their child’s absenteeism.
Yes, it is unquestionably difficult and unpopular, but any “solution” that ignores it is a pipe dream and just an additional waste of resources. Stop focusing on the school system so much for solutions — it has a hard enough job teaching kids with so many more appealing distractions.
Intrinsically, every parent should be motivated to attempt to instill in their child an appreciation for a free education. However, if that “carrot” doesn’t work, maybe a “stick” is warranted. Current Maryland law requires any person with legal custody of a student who fails to ensure that the student attends school may be charged with a misdemeanor and, if convicted, subject to fines, imprisonment or both.
Maybe it’s time to consider enforcing (and presumably funding) that requirement. Or at least stop fooling ourselves that we’re taking this issue seriously.
— Michael MacKay, Lutherville
Add your voice: Respond to this piece or other Sun content by submitting your own letter.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0