Fines, jail time, parenting classes, community service, etc.....
There is something very wrong with this picture.
I had students miss for vacation, to go to amusement parkds, to go see movies, to go to ballgames, to go visit cousins, to clean the house, etc. last year. I am very tolerant of family situations (though I can only recall twice during my school career of missing for something like that) and don't mind it at all as a teacher. Sometimes you do have to catch kids up when they've been gone a while. Even during testing week, I was informed by parents that 6 were leaving on vacation that Friday. I had to scramble to get them done by Thursday.
I did have another kid one year whose family took at 3 week vacation, then we had a 3-week break, then she came back for 3 days, then was gone for over 2 more weeks. It took the girl (who had been my best worker before) about another month to get back into the swing of things.
I've gotten more flexible over the years and this year, more than any other, kids were taken on vacations. Usually parents did let me know. I do realize that there are some difficult situations. One mom who is having a difficult pregnancy told me point blank that she jsut didn't feel like getting up and getting her kids ready for school. I understand, coming from a large family.
As far as skipping classes, my dad and mom expected me to have my butt in classes and to make sure that I learned something no matter how boring it was. I did have a few BORING teachers, but I WAS there.
[There is something very wrong with this picture.]
Along with the Supreme Court private property theft decisions and the supression of Christianty and the taking away of freedoms, I'd say we have lost America.
Perfect way for a teen to get back at a parent who is just trying to be a good parent and set standards - get the parent in trouble. The schools should accept their share of responsibility and act in partnership with parents to make sure that students get to school and then stay there.