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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:

Erika Andiola Says Dreamers Know How to Push Biden
“All we can do is pick our opponent,” says Andiola, the chief advocacy officer for the San Antonio-based immigrant rights group RAICES. by Gus Bova
State Officials Tried to Cut Women’s Health Care During a Pandemic. It’s a Clear Reflection of Priorities.
The state health agency continues to propose cutting services for families while leaving fully intact a program that funds anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers. by Mary Tuma
The Racist History Behind El Paso’s XII Travelers Memorial
Protesters in El Paso have focused on toppling the Equestrian, a monument to a racist colonizer. But the story behind the monument goes deeper. by David Dorado Romo