Texas Legislature approves decriminalizing skipping school

[TexasTowelie]

AUSTIN, Texas -- Skipping school would no longer be a criminal offense, under a bill that has cleared both chambers of the Texas Legislature.

Instead, accumulating unexcused absences would mean civil punishments with fines starting at $100, under a proposal the Senate and House passed Saturday. The measure now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott.

Rep. James White, a former teacher, said the Texas Education Agency will come up with better ways and minimum standards to "assist our school districts in enhancing school attendance."

In fiscal year 2014, nearly 100,000 Texas students received misdemeanors for too many unexcused absences.

Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/state/texas/article22703697.html

[rock]

1. Legislatures are nothing, if not bullies

!

[newfie11]

2. Damn they must not of had this in Texas in the early 60s

When I lived in Galveston and later Freeport no one ever mentioned skipping school was a criminal offense

[Downwinder]

3. When your funding is on a per capita basis,

yo have to keep bodies in the seats.

[ananda]

4. This is such a bad idea on so many levels.

Some students just do not belong in school.