On 2 Feb 2007 18:59:01 -0800, "
wrote:

Only the Texas GOP could produce such a snip


Pretty much indicates where you are coming from

Parents Who Skip School Meetings Could Be Fined

AUSTIN, Texas -- Parents bewa Miss a meeting with your child's
teacher
and it could cost you a $500 fine and a criminal record.

A Republican state lawmaker from Baytown has filed a bill that would
charge
parents of public school students with a misdemeanor and fine them for
playing hooky from a scheduled parent-teacher conference.

Rep. Wayne Smith said Wednesday he wants to get parents involved in
their
child's education.

"I think it helps the kids for the parents and teachers to
communicate.
That's all the intent was," Smith said.

I can see where this may be a good idea. Particularly in schools that
are having "behavioral" problems with students whose parents are barely
older than the children the school is trying to educate. What is a school
to do when you have a discipline problem with a child and the parents
continually avoid meeting with the teacher? Since education is mandatory
and provided at taxpayer expense, there are some responsibilities that
parents should assume.

Of course the application of this law needs to be reasonable. Trying to
apply it to a parent who has an emergency situation the first time a
meeting is scheduled should not result in a fine, after the second or third
missed meeting however, it seems that the school should have some recourse.




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If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough

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