With District of Columbia Public Schools opening their doors today to students, D.C. Attorney General Linda Singer reminded parents that they will face
criminal charges if they do not register school-age children for classes.
The AG’s office will be working with the DCPS to make sure all eligible children are properly immunized and enrolled and attending schools. Last year, the AG’s office filed 58 cases against parents or guardians under the Compulsory School Attendance laws.
“Our goal is to make sure kids get off to a healthy start in the new school year by starting school on time and attending class on a regular basis,” Singer said in a statement.
Research has shown that frequently missing school can result in poor work habits, lower grades, frustration in learning, low self-esteem, dropping out of school, unemployment and criminal activity.
Most of the 58 cases last year involved children under age 10. The number of cases represented a sharp reduction from the more than 200 cases filed the previous school year.
The Compulsory School Attendance law requires parents, guardians and caretakers who reside in the District, whether permanently or temporarily, to enroll in school children ages 5 to 18. The law applies to all District children who will turn 5 on or before Dec. 31 of this year.
Parents, guardians and caretakers can also be criminally prosecuted if they fail to ensure that children are regularly attending school.
If a truant is picked up by the police, he or she will be transported to the student attendance intervention center.
