Comments on: What will happen to me if I ditch school?

By: Kirk

Kirk — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:53:15 +0000

Hi there,
My friend and I today went skiing (instead of school) Both of our parents said it was ok, and it’s my first absence. Does truancy apply to us even though we had parental consent? We’re both 4.0 students, we just weren’t doing much today and needed a break.
Dear Kirk: “Needed a break?” – what are weekends for? Not to mention spring break, holidays and summer. Take a look at your Student Handbook for the rules about excused and unexcused absences. If your parents called you in, it may be considered an excused absence. It’s up to the school. However, don’t be surprised if it’s marked as an unexcused day that goes toward the truancy count in your school record. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).

By: Eileen

Eileen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:26:42 +0000

Hi, I’m Eileen. I live in San Diego CA, I take my 5 year old sibling to school every morning. The problem is that there have been times(especially at the begining of the school year)that she refuses to wake up (I wake her up around 6 am to 6:15 am)she wasn’t used to waking up so early, she would cry and refuse to wake up, my mom can’t take her she starts work around 4 am, I think i have missed school 4 to 6 times during this school year I’m not sure.I turned 18 in January, can my mom get into legal trouble? Is it considered truancy? We are a family of 6 and she is a single mother, I get really good grades, when im absent I always go to the teacher to get the work even if i don’t have that period that day. The problem is my mom never called to excuse these absences, and i think it’s too late now because they are from last semester. We did not know about truancy, last year was my first year in the United States and this year is my sisters first year in the US, I did not know it was that serious to miss school that’s why i never urged my mother to call the school. I am going to go to Saturday school to clear the absences, but does that clear the fact that i did miss school? can i still get in trouble for it?
Thank you for your time.
Dear Eileen: When your mother has time off, she may want to schedule a meeting with the Attendance Officer and/or principal of the school to explain the situation. That way the school will know you’re not intentionally violating the school’s rules about excused and unexcused absences. Good luck. Keep your grades up and we wish you a bright future.
(This is information only – not legal advice).

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:09:53 +0000

How many days of school can an 18 year old student in the state of georgia miss before they get charged with truancy and wat happens if theyre already on probation. Lets say the student has 348 missed class periods this school year and 33 tardies wat will that students consequences be and wat will his parents consequences be? Dear Justin: States have cracked down on truancy over the past few years. For example, in the Atlanta area, parents can be fined up to $1,000 or jailed up to 60 days if found guilty of neglecting their kids' education. See a recent story here. Take a look at your Student Handbook for information regarding excused and unexcused absences in your school. The penalties for violating the policy should be spelled out. Since you're on probation, truancy is likely a violation which means you could be explaining your absences to a judge if your PO decides to violate you. Bottom line, get back and stay in school. Good luck. (This is information only - not legal advice).

By: salma

salma — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:00:54 +0000

Hi i have a question. Im 14 years old im in 8th grade this is my last time in middle shool. but i have a lot of absents i have 12 or 14 messed days in a period of 7th months i have not went to court i havent never went to court for absents, but i already hvae a meeting with ma parents and my school. wat happen if i went to court? my mom go to jail? i dont want that.! my big problem is wake up in the mornings! im good in school i just have the problem im passing all my class. what should i do? can i just get HOMESCHOOL? Thank YOu!
Dear Salma: We have information here about Texas school attendance requirements.
You’ll find out more when you meet with the school officials regarding your absences. It is possible for your parents to be fined for not getting you to school, but that may not happen this first time. You could also end up in Truancy Court where the consequences are more serious. About home-schooling, that’s up to your parents to decide. They still must see that you meet certain levels throughout the school year. You may be able to sleep in a bit longer, but the workload remains the same and you’d be depriving yourself of socializing with your friends. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).

By: yvan

yvan — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:09:35 +0000

can my son passed in 2nd year high school.. if he have an absent for 1 month and 2 weeks..?
Dear Yvan: That’s up to the school and their attendance policies. Take a look at the Student Handbook for the rules regarding unexcused absences. If your son has miss more than the allowed number of classes or days, he may have to repeat the school year, semester or certain classes. You can schedule an appointment with the principal, vice-principal and attendance officer to discuss his future. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).

By: Connor

Connor — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:05:28 +0000

I am 18, and I was wondering if I could legally excuse myself from school. I have a problem sleeping in, and my parents won’t excuse me from school. I know I need to get to school, but I struggle. So, shouldn’t I have the right to excuse myself from school since I’m 18?
Dear Connor: Every state has its own laws about attendance at school including the age of students. Also school districts have rules about this. We suggest you take a look at your Student Handbook for the rules that apply to you. Regardless of your age, if you miss too many classes or days, you may not graduate with your class. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).

By: shanece

shanece — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:34:22 +0000

what happens to the student and parents for breaking truancy ? did they have this same rule to arrest the parents last school year ? if the parent gets arrested , where does her children go ?
Dear Shanece: Take a look at your Student Handbook for the rules about truancy and the consequences for breaking the rules. If parents are jailed for a weekend or a week because of truancy, the kids are placed with relatives or possibly Child Protective Services if there’s no family to step in.
(This is information only – not legal advice).

By: Sandra

Sandra — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:19:01 +0000

I am a Spanish girl, this summer I finish my high school, the counselor says I need to take my speech class forces and I do not want because I can not speak good English and I am very ashamed, but I do not know what will happen .. I can do? and I pass all my 4 taks, and that’s the only class that I need to do
Dear Sandra: Talk with your parents about this. They can contact the school and schedule a meeting with the principal or vice-principal. If Speech is a required course for graduation, there may be an alternative in your situation. It’s up to the school but you may have to accept their decision and take the class. In the long run, you’ll find it useful. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).

By: Janie

Janie — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:42:50 +0000

My son has been accused of several felonys and he has been put in jail multiple times. He has skipped many days of school. My son has been doing extreamly well since he’s meeting the right people and I wish the judge could see that. I don’t know what to do and wanted to know how long he could be locked up in jail for so many days skipped since it was his last chance.
Dear Janie: That will be up to the judge assigned to your son’s case. If he has a hearing coming up to review his situation, explain to the judge or your son’s lawyer how he’s doing now. Tell them about his new friends and how he’s doing in school. You could also write a letter to the court reporting his progress. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).

By: Alora

Alora — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:09:45 +0000

I live in Washington state and at school I was a 4.0 student for Junior year. Then my grandma died, and I’ve started missing school. I would wake up somedays and just start crying because I miss her so much, those are the days I would stay in bed and cry the whole day. On top of the missing school, came the homework. Tons. I couldn’t keep up. My grades were dropping to B’s and my brother told me he was disappointed in me. For a B. So I gave up, what’s the point you know? I felt worthless in school so I stopped going. I didn’t go for about 3 weeks straight. I knew my teachers would ask what’s wrong, and I knew I would just cry so I would avoid school. I’ve also been stressed about my grandmother passing. I feel like I should be over it and I’m not. My mom told me if I miss anymore school she goes to jail :/ how can I prevent that? Drop out? My mom suggested I switch to an alternative school, but I told her I didn’t want to. But now I’m thinking I should. I just don’t want to get in trouble with school, or with the state, and I definitely don’t want to send my mother to jail.
Dear Alora: We’re sorry about losing your grandmother. Everyone loses someone they love, but that person would want you to carry on and succeed. Many states have recently started to crack down on truancy. That includes sending parents to jail for not getting their kids to school, or imposing a heavy fine on them. You can help your Mom by getting back to school everyday without any unexcused absences. Think about speaking with the school counselor who probably has experience in helping students cope with personal loss. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).