Skip teacher conference -- and go to jail?
Worthy plan would make it illegal for parents to miss meetings about their kids in school
Oralandar Brand-Williams / The Detroit News
Detroit --Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy wants to make it illegal for parents to skip parent-teacher conferences.
It's a plan that's still in the works, and Worthy acknowledges it faces a tough sell. But she said she's so concerned about truancy and juvenile crime that she wants an ordinance that would force parents to attend at least one conference a year -- or face jail.
"If they come (to the conferences), they will be more engaging in their children's education," Worthy told The Detroit News.
"There is a link between truancy and parental involvement."
Worthy said she's working with the Wayne County Commission and hopes to introduce a proposal in August. She unveiled the idea during a neighborhood meeting last week, and it's already drawing praise and scorn.
Farr Jahr, senior director of communication for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Midland, called the concept "rather unprecedented."
"Parental involvement in education is desirable, but there's hardly any benefit from government coercion," said Jahr. "Are kids going to be better off if they have a parent in jail?"
Worthy said her intention isn't to jail parents and would create exceptions for ill parents "as long as they are communicating with the school." She wants the law on the books to allow judges to order parents to attend the teacher meetings. Those who refuse the orders could face undisclosed fines or jail time.
Those penalties are still in the works, but Worthy said she wants to partner with superintendents, public officials, law enforcement and community groups.
"Those would be my dream partners," said Worthy. "I don't expect to get everyone, as I think this will be
From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100614/SCHOOLS/6140339/Skip-teacher-conference----and-go-to-jail#ixzz0qq9jZh9w
Budget pain hits education
Low enrollment, reduced aid lead to school closures in suburbs
The waning days of the school year have been bittersweet for parents, teachers and students in districts throughout Metro Detroit that will shutter schools this month to cut costs. - 06/14/2010
Skip teacher conference -- and go to jail?
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has drawn a link between truancy, youth crime, and parental involvement. She wants to make it illegal for parents to skip parent-teacher conferences. - 06/14/2010
Foes of mayoral control for Detroit schools to protest
Detroit -- Community members who oppose mayoral control for Detroit Public Schools will launch their campaign to stop the plan Monday. - 06/13/2010
U-M robot Mabel clears stacked wood, may jog soon
Sometimes, it's no pain, no gain in the world of robotics. The University of Michigan's walking robot Mabel broke a leg while demonstrating her ability to climb over a stack of wooden planks. Her creators say they hope to see her jogging by winter. - 06/13/2010
Bobb defends control at DPS
Detroit -- Taking the stand before a packed courtroom, Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb defended his decisions to not consult with the school board on everything from buying books to issuing tests, saying he had the power to decide academics. - 06/12/2010
Bobb testifies he thought he had the power to bypass DPS board
Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb said in court today he didn't offer feedback to the elected school board on their own academic plan and instead wrote his own academic plan for Detroit Public Schools because believed he had the power to do so. - 06/11/2010
