Texas and Wyoming are the only U.S. states that will prosecute kids in adult criminal court for failing to attend school.
Opponents of Texas’ truancy law characterize it not as a way to properly address truancy but rather the establishment of dropout courts. Lawmakers sought to change the system in 2013; Governor Perry vetoed legislation to address it. State Senator John Whitmire wants to try again this session.
We discuss truancy in Greater Houston with Jeff Alexander, Program Manager for the Justice of the Peace Court Wraparound Program with Harris County Protective Services, who believes truancy typically represents a symptom of larger challenges facing students and their families.
