GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Districts in Kent County are joining forces with police and prosecutors to make sure children are attending school, according to WOOD TV.
Unexcused absences are increasing in Grand Rapids and the district is pushing for police to be speedier in prosecuting cases of truancy. Thirteen of 60 truancy cases were brought to trial last year, WOOD TV reported.
”We need to know, three weeks into school, a month into school, who is not there and start making phone calls at that time," Kent County Prosecutor Vicki Seidl told WOOD TV. "Most of these cases aren't getting to our office until March or April.”
School attendance is mandatory under Michigan law until the age of 16. School funding is based on student enrollment.
SOURCE:
WOOD TV, "Schools take hooky seriously," Sept. 2, 2008
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "Should Michigan raise the compulsory school attendance age from 16 to 18? No," May 24, 2007
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