FAST FACTS:
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 11/30/2009) Parents called into court and told to start parenting, specifically, make their children go to school.
After learning the price they will have to pay if they don't, the parents had little to say.
The Shelby County District Attorney's office has been getting tough on truancy, sending letters to parents of students who have a high number of absences, asking the parents to attend parenting classes and enroll their kids in the D.A.'s mentoring program.
But apparently, 19 of those parents never responded.
"Some parents think when they receive mail and are not familiar with the mail, they disregard it. I hope this is a lesson to them and others." says Harold Collins, with the District Attorney's Mentoring Program.
So Monday the parents were charged with Violation of the Compulsory Attendance.
If they complete the Memphis City Schools Parenting classes, and their kids complete the D.A's mentoring program, then the charges will be wiped off the parent's record.
"Our ultimate goal is not to send parents to jail, even though we will hold them accountable by law. But the goal is to make sure their children are going to school everyday." says Collins.
Two parents chose not to accept the offer and are taking their cases to court.
They could face 30 days in jail for each day their child has been absent and also a fifty-dollar fine for each absence.
Those parents going through the mentoring and parenting classes are on unofficial probation for a year, to make sure they follow through.
- Nineteen parents face charges because their kids are truant
- District Attorney's office wants parents in a parenting class and the kids in mentoring
- Parents could face fines and jail time if they don't cooperate
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 11/30/2009) Parents called into court and told to start parenting, specifically, make their children go to school.
After learning the price they will have to pay if they don't, the parents had little to say.
The Shelby County District Attorney's office has been getting tough on truancy, sending letters to parents of students who have a high number of absences, asking the parents to attend parenting classes and enroll their kids in the D.A.'s mentoring program.
But apparently, 19 of those parents never responded.
"Some parents think when they receive mail and are not familiar with the mail, they disregard it. I hope this is a lesson to them and others." says Harold Collins, with the District Attorney's Mentoring Program.
So Monday the parents were charged with Violation of the Compulsory Attendance.
If they complete the Memphis City Schools Parenting classes, and their kids complete the D.A's mentoring program, then the charges will be wiped off the parent's record.
"Our ultimate goal is not to send parents to jail, even though we will hold them accountable by law. But the goal is to make sure their children are going to school everyday." says Collins.
Two parents chose not to accept the offer and are taking their cases to court.
They could face 30 days in jail for each day their child has been absent and also a fifty-dollar fine for each absence.
Those parents going through the mentoring and parenting classes are on unofficial probation for a year, to make sure they follow through.
