Suprising Kids, do you think teachers will help???

[W2BNeverland]

Trust me, you cannot be hauled into truancy court if you are responsible parents with an achieving child. In ANY state. (The US Dept of Education sets federal policy for ALL states.)

Children are considered truant when they meet ALL three criteria:
1. Excessive, unexplained absences,
2. Lack of parental cooperation with the school system,
3. Poor academic record

So, clearly a responsible parent with a well-achieving child cannot be hauled into truancy court if they remove their child for a family vacation. Even if that vacation is two months long.

It's important for parents to know what their rights are--and that many of these "policies" that are put into place are there for the lowest common denominator of parents. But the fallout affects all parents, especially the responsible ones, who are honest and upfront about their plans.

Well at the Middle School I work, the Dean of Students can take parents and/or child to truancy court for excessive absenses, excessive tardies to first period, and missing mandated tutorials. Don't know how it works in Maryland, but that's the way it is here.

 

[Colleen27]

I don't know how it works in Maryland, but in Texas, parents and child can get hauledinto truancy court for excessive abscences.

I suppose in theory they could, but the case would be laughed out of court! Absences are not the only criteria for truancy; good parents pulling good students out of school for a family vacation are not the "problem" that truancy courts exist to address.

 

[JoyMouse]

In GA a parent can be sent to court if a child has more than 15 enexcused absences in one semester. That said, I am a teacher and my only suggestions to the parents taking a child on a WDW vacation during the year is that if you want a great grade for your child you'd better take me with you! I think that the child gains more from the experiences and from the family time than he would from the same amount of days in a classroom.

 

[KimR]

We tried that one year. I told DDs teacher about the trip (she'd be missing one day of school prior to spring break) and that it was a secret. I stressed SECRET and asked that she not spill the beans. Well, she didn't come right out and tell her, but she sure hinted around that something special was going to happen. DD lost her tooth the week we were to leave and was so excited about it and her teacher told her 'oh, well, that's nothing compared what's going to happen in a few days' or something to that effect.

I know she was just excited for DD, but between that comment and a few other things, DD guessed. I was not happy, although I never said anything to the teacher.

 

[claudia]

Claudia...I used to work on Long Island.

This is exactly what I mean--you and your son are being punished for being honest and upfront. If I were you, I would go straight up the chain of command to the superintendent and fight the unexcused absences...I realize teachers can withhold work (which I think is a lazy cop out), but I would still fight the absences. They are infringing on your right as a parent to take your kid out of school....for two days? Ridiculous.

They should spend a little more time with the families of children who are failing out of school and who have actual truancy issues!

Thanks for the advice....I never knew that option was available to me.....I will definitely be taking action.

 

[micmacmissy]

Well at the Middle School I work, the Dean of Students can take parents and/or child to truancy court for excessive absenses, excessive tardies to first period, and missing mandated tutorials. Don't know how it works in Maryland, but that's the way it is here.

I guarantee you, they can't. If you have provided notification to the school that the child is with you, on vacation, they can't.

It has nothing to do with what state you're in--these are federal laws, which apply to all states. You may have some puffed-up school administrator who thinks he/she has some power...but as the poster after you wrote, that cannot hold up under scrutiny.

 

[wbabcock]

Just to put my two cents in --- we are going Oct 12-19, and because of teacher in service days - conferences - and Fair Days my boys will only be missing 3 days of school. I did, however, let their teachers know before school even began. My oldest is in 4th and youngest in 2nd - both teachers were ok with them going. They are going to have work ready to take with us - but we were told probably more reading than anything else. I think the key is to give the teachers as much notice as possible - I think they appreciate it.

 

[lilyv]

FYI-Some districts have become really stringent due to money issues. If they receive a portion of the funding based on attendance, then they sometimes develop a get tough policy to do everything to recoup their losses. A lot depends on how hard they are hit with "unexcused" absences. (And the vast majority of these absences aren't due to parents taking their kids to Yellowstone or Disney World for a few days...they are chronic truancy cases, IMO.) Personally, I think most parents are reasonable. It's a shame that the occasional few days off for a vacation has become, in some places, a problem for administrators.

It's even worse when the solution is to withhold work, or "gift" the student with unexcused absences. It sure would be nice to see some good old common sense applied in these situations, wouldn't it?

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

I am a middle school teacher and have been in on these surprises before. It is so much fun for me. The parent and I agree on when they would pick up work, and I have it ready. No beans spilled here

Here's something we do that I didn't see before. Our school says that you have one day to make up work for everyday you are out of school. So if you miss 5 days, you have 5 days to make up the work when you return. Some parents just opt to have their children make up the work when they get back, while some want the work ahead of time so that it can be done before they leave. Either way is fine with me. It is up to the parents.

Thought I'd throw my 2 cents in

 

[themom1180]

We have actually pulled this off twice. The first trip was April 05 and DD was in third grade. She knew we were going away, but thought we were going to the Jersey Shore! On the way, we drove off the exit for the airport and told her we were going to Disney. She says, "yeah right, you're just teasing me because I keep bugging you to take me!" (and, yes, I'd do that!) She almost peed herself when we got out of the car with luggage! We are allowed 5 days off if we get approval in advance from the school. Her teacher knew about the trip, sent the paper home in a sealed envelope. I wrote on it that it was secret but the admin office sent it home with her in no envie - the reason we had to tell her we were going to the shore to cover that little mishap. Second time was Dec 06 to Jan 07, Christmas surprise. We left on the 27th. No slip this time and kids had no idea until they received a phone call from a princess telling them that she heard they are getting a special present for Christmas. I think Mickey Mouse will call too, but you can't pick the time and we wanted it as early as possible. FYI, if you're going after Christmas, it is insane! NYE was a nightmare and we ended up leaving before midnight. Too many drunks tripping over my stroller and too many people.

 

[sprout694]

I took my kids out of school this past January for a surprise trip. Their teachers were in on it for about a month or so ahead of time. The teachers were wonderful about keeping the secret - not one word to either one of them! They gave the kids a minimal amount of homework, and asked that they give the class a report when we got back. We had so much fun planning everything and keeping the secret! I think you will have a wonderful time, and seeing their faces when you tell them they are going to Disney World - well, it doesn't get much better than that!!!!

 

[EMom]

Sorry to rain on your parade, but you clearly do not comprehend how the law works in Texas. I am not talking theory, but reality. Parents are regularly held legally responsible for excessive absences, usually defined as over 10% of the school year, or over 18 days of instruction. It's very situational. If Junior was sick for 21 days, he will be able to go on to the next grade, provided his grades are good. But if 10 of those days were for a family vacation, you may find yourself in front of a judge explaining why you should not be fined (or in some cases, jailed) for contributing to truancy.

Doubtless, this energetic determination to see children in school as much as possible is tied to the fact that attendance = funding. Every day that Junior is in school, the school gets money. If Junior is absent, the school does not get that money. If Junior is present when roll is officially taken at _o'clock and then his parents check him out one minute later to catch a flight, he is counted present for that day and the school is happy. Our magic hour is 9 a.m.

We just returned from WDW and DD missed 6 days of school. Our district's written policy is that no school work will be given ahead of time and that it will be given upon her return to school. She will have 6 days to complete what she missed and will receive no grade higher than 70 since the absences were unexcused. That's the written policy. But her teachers went ahead and gave her most of the work ahead of time and seem to be giving her full credit. Maybe the rules are more rigidly enforced for the older children?? I'm not going to press the issue.

We decided that she could afford to miss the 6 days since she's a straight A student and is almost never sick. I'll make sure she gets a flu shot and I'll be surprised if she misses even 2 more days of school this year. So we should be safe.

But do not assume that the law works the same here as it does in your state. I assure you that many Texas parents have been successfully proscecuted under these statutes and they have held up to legal challenge. If you want to take a child on a vacation of two months, your only recourse here is to formally withdraw that child from school, and thus from the arm of the truancy law. That is, in fact, exactly what I advised a friend to do when she needed to take an extended trip overseas to visit her family and was going to exceed the 18 day limit. I told her to avoid using the "V" word, withdraw her child, go overseas, and when she came back to Texas she should simply re-register her child in the same school. Yes, it was a legal fiction, but it was the only way to make it work. The principal knew what she was doing, but everyone realized it had to be done this way.

I just don't want anyone in Texas to read your post and mistakenly believe they can thumb their noses at the law in Texas. It would be a serious error in judgment.

Trust me, you cannot be hauled into truancy court if you are responsible parents with an achieving child. In ANY state. (The US Dept of Education sets federal policy for ALL states.)

Children are considered truant when they meet ALL three criteria:
1. Excessive, unexplained absences,
2. Lack of parental cooperation with the school system,
3. Poor academic record

So, clearly a responsible parent with a well-achieving child cannot be hauled into truancy court if they remove their child for a family vacation. Even if that vacation is two months long.

It's important for parents to know what their rights are--and that many of these "policies" that are put into place are there for the lowest common denominator of parents. But the fallout affects all parents, especially the responsible ones, who are honest and upfront about their plans.

 

[micmacmissy]

But do not assume that the law works the same here as it does in your state. I assure you that many Texas parents have been successfully proscecuted under these statutes and they have held up to legal challenge.

I just don't want anyone in Texas to read your post and mistakenly believe they can thumb their noses at the law in Texas. It would be a serious error in judgment.

I don't mean to be argumentative...this is what I do for a living (school administrator/attendance and counseling) and parents need to know what their rights are. Again, I'm talking about responsible parents with well-achieving kids.

I'd love to see even one case of a parent being successfully prosecuted on a truancy law when they have a well achieving student and miss school for family reasons! It doesn't exist.

Local and state school districts cannot simply institute their own rules willy-nilly. The United States Dept of Education oversees all state school districts. I can provide websites if anyone cares to really investigate this.

 

[yasmina]

I teach middle school French. In the past, I would generally send little, if any homework for a child going on any vacation, not just Disney. My subject is just not one where they can read a few pages and answer some questions. If the parents don't know French and can help out, it's just a waste. If they're going to Disney, I teasingly tell them that their homework is to eat at one of the French restaurants and have some escargots!

This summer, while planning my daughters surprise trip to DW, I came across some homework pages for Disney World. I plan to print these out for my students going to Disney. They are really cool. There are journal pages for each park, and specific question pages about the World Showcase in Epcot, which I mostly plan to use. For the pages, the kids have to specifically find the answers at the Showcase. IOW, you can't find the answers on the internet or in an encyclopedia. For the other pages, they have you match the flag to the country, match greeting phrases, and so on.

I can't post the site per board rules, but if anyone if interested, please pm me. You will absolutely love this site! It's got downloads for everything! Including: A Disney desktop calendar, mousekeeping envelopes, travel journals, school excuse letter, and more!

Again, pm me for the site, as I'm not permitted to post it. You won't regret it!

 

[EMom]

Perhaps it is not your intention to be argumentative, but that is what seems to be happening. I am thrilled you are familiar with the attendance laws of your jurisdiction. As an attorney, I am equally familiar with ours. You are talking THEORY, I am talking REALITY. You obviously do not get how things work here. Texas has long held students and parents accountable for excessive absences, even when the student is a high achiever. I've been in court and seen it happen.

If some parent is foolish enough to decide to spend tens thousands of dollars to mount a legal challenge so that they can defend the decision to take a child on an extended vacation that exceeds the amount of days the child is allowed to be absent, so be it. Perhaps you can fund that folly. I choose to deal in common sense and practicality.

The law is the law and parents need to work with it. If you have a student with good grades who rarely misses class, you can probably afford to take them out of school for a vacation to WDW. If you have a sickly kid who is pushing the limits of being absent for the maximum days allowed, then taking them out of school is just not a great idea. If your child is a C student, they probably can't afford to miss a week of school. Every case is different. If your state prosecutes parents for truancy violations, you'd be wise to consider all the variables before you book the trip. In our case, we considered DD was a safe bet and could easily afford to miss the time.

Prosecutors have discretion and may well pass on a case where an A student has missed 19 days and 10 were for unexcused vacation. That is, unless they are on a zero tolerance kick. And zero tolerance is the word of the day in a lot of districts here. I can think of hundreds of things I'd rather spend $$$$ on than fighting a legal battle to prove I had the right to take Junior to WDW or a European tour in shoulder season. And quite frankly, given the likely jury pool of good old boys and girls who will look at you and say to themselves, "Why can't you just follow the rules like everyone else?" I'd say the chance of winning the case are slim and none. That's OUR reality.

If you want to haul Junior out of school for a 2 month vacation, it would seem homeschooling is a more appropriate choice than public school in Texas. Either that, or do the withdrawal two-step.

I don't mean to be argumentative...this is what I do for a living (school administrator/attendance and counseling) and parents need to know what their rights are. Again, I'm talking about responsible parents with well-achieving kids.

I'd love to see even one case of a parent being successfully prosecuted on a truancy law when they have a well achieving student and miss school for family reasons! It doesn't exist.

Local and state school districts cannot simply institute their own rules willy-nilly. The United States Dept of Education oversees all state school districts. I can provide websites if anyone cares to really investigate this.

 

[micmacmissy]

You are talking THEORY, I am talking REALITY.

I'd love for you to cite a case where this has happened in reality. That would shut me up for sure!

 

[micmacmissy]

If you have a student with good grades who rarely misses class, you can probably afford to take them out of school for a vacation to WDW.

...and that was exactly my point, of all my posts. ("Responsible parents with a well-achieving child", I think my exact words were.)

I'm glad we're finally in agreement!

 

[EMom]

Honestly, I doubt it.

I've seen it happen, but obviously seeing it happen with my own eyes in an actual, honest to God courtroom does not meet your criteria. Sorry, but at present I have better things to spend my time on than researching case law to prove a point which I doubt you would believe even with 100 citations.

I am tired of beating this particular dead horse. If you must have the last word, have it. Your last word will be wrong as far as Texas law and Texas reality is concerned, but that's fine with me.

I'd love for you to cite a case where this has happened in reality. That would shut me up for sure!

 

[lilyv]

Honestly, I doubt it.

I've seen it happen, but obviously seeing it happen with my own eyes in an actual, honest to God courtroom does not meet your criteria. Sorry, but at present I have better things to spend my time on than researching case law to prove a point which I doubt you would believe even with 100 citations.

I am tired of beating this particular dead horse. If you must have the last word, have it. Your last word will be wrong as far as Texas law and Texas reality is concerned, but that's fine with me.

Hi Emom, You mention that "Texas has long held students and parents accountable for excessive absences, even when the student is a high achiever."
Boy did your quote bring back memories! My family moved from Wis to Texas in the late 70's. Because the exact dates we would leave Wis were somewhat fluid, Wis schools allowed me to totally finish 9th grade 3 weeks early. No freebies, mind you, I worked my patootie off to finish early. We moved to Richardson, Texas, and Mom went to the local school to drop off my records...long story short, Texas said they'd accept my grades, but if I wasn't in school the next few weeks until the end of the semester I'd be reported truant. SO.....Off I went to sit in a chair, and sit I did. Busy work, no tests, but I had to attend. They meant business. Emom, even back in the stone ages Texas school districts didn't mess around. From my experience, you're 100% correct. Best to you, lilyv

 

[PrincessDez]

I too have to agree with Emom! Very good friends of ours moved to Texas (Houston area) last year. They moved during what was California's Thanksgiving break thinking they would have a few days for the kids to get adjusted to the time difference and used to their new house. No such luck. Texas schools were in session and they were informed that the kids MUST attend class.
The first time we ever visited WDW is with friends from Flowermound. We have tried for the last 6 years to plan a 'Easter time' Disney Cruise but are unable to due to their children not being able to miss a week of class, even though their DD12 is an honor student (ranked 3rd in her class).
Texas means business when it comes to education.