They don’t care less, you’re right. I can attest to that. I’ve taught in low income neighborhoods of California for fifteen years. I have rarely met a parent who didn’t appear to love their kids. The level of care they provide them varies greatly though, and depends on chemical dependency, employment, housing insecurity, and other issues.

I understand first hand how laws and policies can disproportionately impact low income families. But the law is the law. California kids must be in school ages 6-18. That goes for every kid at every income level.

That’s why the SARB process exists. So a team can look at all the facts and explore resources and remove barriers. Obviously jailing someone is a last ditch effort to get students to school.

We don’t know the exact details of any of the cases mentioned so it’s hard to decide if they were warranted arrests or not.

I’m not saying I like the law but there are a lot of things about education that I don’t like dealing with. I don’t like that I have to walk a fine line with parents and students. I am their confidant... until I’m mandated to report what they tell me. Even if it means their parent goes to jail. I must report neglect and abuse to the authorities. All suspicions. I may not decide for myself if it rises to criminality. I hear or see something, I must report it.

I think chronic truancy IS neglect. If the threat of jail encourages parents to improve attendance, so be it.