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State of Texas: How Truancy Is Turning Kids into Criminals

Source: Texas Appleseed — Source: Texas Appleseed Illustration by Joanna Wojtkowiak

Forrest Wilder Apr 24, 2015, 3:14 pm CST

Instead of addressing the underlying causes of kids missing school, Texas—almost alone among the states—is treating truancy as a criminal matter. But a growing body of research shows that using adult criminal courts to punish students and their parents is not just overly punitive and inequitable, but also ineffective.

Do you think free access to journalism like this is important? The Texas Observer is known for its fiercely independent, uncompromising work—which we are pleased to provide to the public at no charge in this space. That means we rely on the generosity of our readers who believe that this work is important. You can chip in for as little as 99 cents a month. If you believe in this mission, we need your help.

Forrest Wilder, a native of Wimberley, Texas, is the editor of the Observer.

You May Also Like:

In Memory of Santos Rodriguez
Almost 50 years after his murder, Dallas is finally taking steps to memorialize Santos Rodriguez. But justice for his family may forever be out of reach. by Michelle Aslam
Home, But Not Free: NSA Whistleblower Reality Winner Adjusts to Her Release From Prison
Winner’s home confinement is part of the longest sentence ever for leaking material to the press—and her family is seeking clemency. by Taylor Barnes, The Intercept
A Wrongful Execution in Texas Points to the Fallibility of the Death Penalty
A new documentary, The Phantom, explores the case of Carlos DeLuna and bolsters the disturbingly convincing case that Texas executed the wrong man. by Michael Barajas