Bill aims to close truancy loophole in Tennessee

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Good attendance is key for any student looking to do well in school.

That logic is why truancy laws are in place to make attendance compulsory.

However in Tennessee, a loophole has existed leading some students to miss way too many classes.

Representative Kevin Raper of Bradley County says he it is a recurring pattern in school attendance.

Rep. Raper said, “Students stop showing up, leave the local school system and go to some other type of school…. (Even if they have) truancy, moving cleans a slate, and there are no consequences at all. That’s why some of those parents are not willing to accept the consequences.”

He says he hears about this issue frequently from educators.

Rep. Raper said, “I’ll take Bradley County where we are right now with the Cleveland City school system and Bradley County Schools. It’s happening numerous times here, so I’m sure throughout the state this is actually going on a large amount.”

His bill, House Bill 1823, would require schools to send the amount of unexcused absences a student has accumulated to their new school to see if a truancy plan should be implemented.

It would also require schools to report to their local juvenile court if a student withdraws from school and does not reenroll somewhere else.

Some legislators have questioned whether or not the bill would put some students in a difficult situation.

Rep. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville, a former teacher, said, “I had so many kids that were either just going into foster placement, or the reason they went into placement was because their parents weren’t getting them to school. Then you put them in a new placement and they might be going to a different school or whatever and having all that history of truancy as they start a new placement can be really tough for kids. They don’t know to do well in the new placement.”

Representative Raper says he believes the bill will create more stability for students and ensure they get an education.

Rep. Raper said, “I’m telling you it makes a difference in their whole career because right now there’s no stability there. When they out a couple days here and there they can’t get any continuity at all.”

The bill has passed the Tennessee Senate, and is scheduled to be debated on the House Floor next week.