KAIT-Jonesboro, AR-News, weather, sports, classifieds-Missouri Schools Start Truancy Court
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By Yalanda Young - bio | email feedback
POPLAR BLUFF, MO (KAIT) - Students in Southeast Missouri who don't go to school, could be facing the judge.
Poplar Bluff, Doniphan, and Twin Rivers School Districts are starting a Truancy Court. School officials say they hope this will keep kids in the classroom and off the streets.
Judge John Bloodworth says truancy plays a role in crime. "Children who are not in school are not sitting at home reading their Bibles. They're probably up to no good."
Poplar Bluff currently has a daytime curfew that allows police to pick up a child and bring them to school if they are playing hookie. But Bloodworth believes a court system will do a better job of keeping students and parents accountable.
"The kids who are not successful at school are not going to be successful in life more than likely."
The school districts will meet to determine how many absences would qualify for being truant. If a student is truant, they will have to meet with a judge to track their progress.
Poplar Bluff Assistant Superintendent Chris Hon says not only do they hope this will increase attendance to a goal of 95%, but also raise student performance.
Poplar Bluff and Doniphan school officials say they hope to have the truancy court set up as soon as possible...maybe by January 1, 2010.
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