Informed Opinions On Today’s Topics : Not All Favor Stiffer Penalties for Truant Kids

The Los Angeles City Council took action against truancy this week, a problem educators said is a significant contributor to California students’ dismal showing on recently released national reading and math test scores.

Placing the threat of fines, community service work or possible revocation of driving privileges over the heads of students who ditch classes, the council voted 12 to 1 Tuesday to empower police to cite any youth under 18 found loitering between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on school days.

The student must then appear in court with a parent or guardian to face the possibility of a $50 fine or community service or both. Repeat offenders could have their driver’s license suspended.

Though acknowledging that truancy directly counters local education efforts to inspire more students to get excited about school, opponents of the penalties believe that the council’s actions are misdirected.

More attention should be paid to implementing preventive measures to truancy, they say. Because of repeated cuts in Los Angeles Unified School District funds, opponents note, student counselors are a rare sight at local schools.

Additionally, Councilwoman Rita Walters, the only council member to vote against the stiffer penalties, expressed concerns that students attending schools with year-round schedules might be unduly harassed by police when on break.

Supporters of the penalties affirm the need to keep students in school. With careful monitoring and police cooperation, they say, the measure could serve as a crucial first step to rebuilding a solid school system.

Mayor Richard Riordan is expected to approve the measure next week.

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Should there be stiffer penalties for truant students?

Julie Korenstein, Los Angeles Board of Education member.

“Our responsibility is to educate the children. We can’t do that if they’re fooling around in the neighborhood. This will be a good partnership between the LAPD and the LAUSD. The school system cannot shoulder the burden all by itself. We don’t have the funding. It takes all of us to guide a child to become a productive citizen.”

Rose Castaneda, instructor, Pacoima Community Youth Culture Center, which serves troubled teen-agers.

“We are in the age of technology. Kids need to get an education to make a decent living. It’s a shame that they have to be motivated to attend school through the threat of punishment. But if they are not motivated to learn, what good does it do to make sure they are in class? They will sit there without absorbing anything.”

Sunny Vazquez-McMullen, assistant principal, Pacoima Elementary School.

“It’s important that students attend school and that we have a strong accountability. On the other hand, there is a tremendous need in the district for more pupil assistance counselors. These people play a preventive role in attendance problems through extensive student and family counseling. Unfortunately, we can’t afford to have them around that often. It costs (more than $12,000 per year) to have one counselor on campus one day per week. They are a higher priority, but we don’t have the funds.”

Harriet Sculley, president, 31st District PTA.

“At every meeting we hold, parents are overwhelmingly enthusiastic about efforts to get tough on truancy. If their kids are not in school, they want to know it. This measure does that and ensures safety in the neighborhoods. For some parents, the measure may provide the first notification that their kid is missing school.”