"Leanna’s teacher reports that she “follows classroom rules” and “always participates.” She never disrupts class, loiters at the mall or stashes marijuana in her backpack. But this bashful girl snuggling up to her mom, butterfly-princess-glitter-wand in hand, landed in court a few months ago. And now her mother has a stain on her permanent record."
"Her offense? Leanna was late to school."
"On Tariq’s official Collin County record, the offense appears as “Failure to Attend School – Parent/Guardian Contributing.” It’s a Class C misdemeanor… coupled with a four-hour wait that required Leanna to miss school...."
"Many parents are not even aware until their court summons arrives that aiding and abetting tardiness can go on their permanent records. But for these families, the courtroom becomes the place to hash out their organizational problems, get a court-ordered parenting class and maybe even learn how to get their children dressed in the morning, all on the taxpayer dollar."
"The law refers to children at least 6 years of age…enrolled in *public* preschool…. While some 4-year-olds don’t attend school at all, those such as Leanna who are enrolled in preschool must be on time or face a court date for nonattendance. And the law does not distinguish between tardies and half- or full-day absences...."
http://www.dfwchild.com/features/911/Elementary-Truancy
Of note: we would have received a threatening letter had we not pulled her out. This was made known to us - eventhough we organized this trip and "cleared" it with the school leadership. Nevermind kindergarten is not compulsory....
