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Legalize Truancy
"Instead of taking kids off the streets, compulsory attendance laws have merely served to extend the streets into this nation’s public schools."
By Emma Alexander
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Youth Radio’s Emma Alexander believes that truancy should be made legal. The Grady High School sophomore believes that students should only have to attend classes when they want to.
I believe that truancy should be made legal for high school students. Students should attend classes only when they want to…but after too many absences –they should be kicked out. This would have enormous benefits to taxpayers as well as to those teachers and students dedicated to education.
It is unfair to make the education of those students the total responsibility of the teacher…and the priority over the education of worthier students. Leading that horse to water does not work.
I don’t think anyone benefits from requiring uncommitted students to attend each day and create problems. Instead of taking kids off the streets, compulsory attendance laws have merely served to extend the streets into this nation’s public schools.
If students were allowed to leave school they would learn much more about life, responsibility, and the vocational skills not taught in many high schools. The remaining students would be able to learn from teachers who would be able to teach, and the entire system could be retooled to focus on effective and meaningful education.
College diplomas and career advancements are earned through hard work and personal responsibility. These values must be learned in this nation's high schools. So let's give truants the choice to do what they please, and we may all get what we want.
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