Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Truancy rule: Kids learn out of school too

I have just read your article about the new state law to keep kids in school and I can see major problems coming down the pipe. Although well-intended, as with most laws, this one will run head-on into many occasions that the person “skipping” school will have a much better educational experience away from school than in it.

This law makes the supreme error that children can only learn in a school-controlled environment.

When my son was in school several years ago he and several other students competed in regional and national competitions. These trips, which were not sanctioned by the school, were unexcused absences unless they were told the kids were out sick. (It’s terrible to have to lie in these situations but it is common to do so.)

We have kids here in Fayette County that have competed on national teams all over the world and in individual competition and these activities take them out of school more than five days a year in many cases. These students are also usually some of the top academic students also.

Are we going to put their parents in jail because they have highly talented children who want to compete at a national or world level? These questions came up several years ago in a time with much less consequences than the new law and someone should address these issues. School is not the only place to learn.

H. Dwight Wilson

V.P. Lending

The Southern Federal Credit Union

Fayetteville, Ga.

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