Last Chance For Parents And Kids

Students John Tyson Unexcused absences land hundreds of students and parents in a truancy prevention program.

by Jessica Taloney

Published: Fri, August 22, 2008 - 3:30 pm CST

When District Attorney John Tyson spoke, an auditorium full of parents and students listened.

"The law says you have to go to school," he told the crowd. "If you don't, both you and your parents could be prosecuted."

In 2008, nearly 1,000 parents have been forced to face a judge for not getting their kids to school. Tyson and the Mobile County Public School System hope a truancy prevention program will turn some young lives around.

"It does work," says Tyson. "I'll say a substantial number. As many as half will get it right from now on," he said.

The program meets every Friday at Government Plaza. Participants hear remarks from Tyson and watch a video from prisoners who say their life of crime began with skipping class.

More than 250 families were invited to attend Friday's session... 93 showed up. Most of the kids we talked to seem to get the message.

"They're trying to help you get your education because you can't really do nothing without it," said Jordan Klemas, who says he had six or seven unexcused absences last year. Destiny Scott missed nearly twenty days of school. "My mom couldn't get me there," she said.

Tyson congratulated everyone who attended the program, saying they've made a step in the right direction, but for those who didn't show up this may not be the end of the road. The District Attorney's office will decide on an individual basis whether to prosecute the cases.

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southfan1981 Says:

Sat, Aug 23, 2008 at 10:34 pm

I thought the school had to sign paperwork stating kids under age 18 were enrolled in high school in order for them to be a licensed driver?

mustuknow Says:

Sat, Aug 23, 2008 at 4:20 pm

Well the sad fact is that if you do not allow these kids to get drivers license then they will just drive without them and put you and I at further risk. I frankly agree with the prosecution of the parent and child for truancy. I do not know much about the guidelines for prosecuting these cases but I would hope that there is some out for parents if they do everything within their power to make the kids to go to school and the kids still skip out.

chip68 Says:

Sat, Aug 23, 2008 at 9:02 am

What I do not understand is how are some of these kids allowed to get their drivers license at 16 years old but have not attended school for two or three years? I think someone needs to look further in to this matter instead of just looking at kids/parents for them missing to many days. If a child doesn’t return to school and no request is made for a transfer wouldn’t that be a signal something is wrong?