I am from arkansas ... Can anyone tell me where I might go about finding out if it is legal to lock a kid up for 30 to 90 straight days for not going to school. I know this does more harm to these kids then good. They locked my son up for 50 straight days for not going to school,He had never had so much as a traffic ticket. Where is the right in all this. They now have my niece 16 yrs old in for 30 days for not going to school. She has never had any kind of arrest or ticket. Any help please. Thank you

OMG...i don't have an answer for you but my fanny would be looking for every place i could call.....to me it doesn't seem right....here in florida they threaten parents not the kids....and even then before anyone gets into trouble the kid has to miss like 90 consecutive days.......i cant believe this is happening to your family
************{hugs}}}}}}}}} i will keep you in my thoughts....oh and cant children drop out of school at 16??? i don't get it........

I don't have an answer for you, sorry. You could call the board of education, police department truancy area, and ask for the laws on it? Was he absolutely refusing to go to school? did he have alternative schools to choose from? In st Paul, there are altnernatives where, for example, kids go in and work at skills at their own pace, test out areas as they go, to earn a GED.

Get yourself an attorney who specializes in Special Education Law pronto. By Federal law, children are entitled to a free and APPROPRIATE public education. I doubt he is getting an appropriate education in jail! Often children with learning disabilities end up in the criminal justice system because a FAILURE OF THE SCHOOL to address these disabilities. There are options for kids who can't function in their designated public school. It is unfortunate that you are not in NY because I know someone who could help you who is a former criminal attorney turned special ed attorney. I would suggest you look for someone with that background, and you can start with www.wrightslaw.com (http://www.wrightslaw.com) and see if there is a link to a Special Education attorney in your state. It really aggravates me to see so much police and government intervention like this that ruins kids lives. I know that this is not an option for many, but this may also be a time to consider homeschooling.

I doubt the board of ed will help you because they are the ones that generally get sued for failure to provide a free and appropriate public education. Get an attorney. You may find one who demands no money down. In my state, there are attorneys who will take cases and then sue the district for fees if they prevail.

First thing this morning get on the phone with the lawyers referral svc, in your area if you have one. Describe the situation and they will be able to direct you to an appropriate Attorney. If you do not have a lawyers referral svc, I think I would hit the yellow pages and see if you can find one that advertises a specialty in juvie law.

As a last resort call the ACLU and see if they can give you any referrals.

Patti

Yes, a child can be arrested now for truancy and missing school...(in california). Gerbera, children who are in Juvenile Detention still get an education. I am currently a substitute teacher for the Juvenile Detention in San Bernardino County. All children must attend class unless theyre hurt, at court or with a case load counselor.

Sad&Alone, when your child/neice has their court date make sure that you are there to let the judge know the circumstances surrounding your neice's absences from school. It has to be more than just the fact that she doesnt want to attend school. Also get a hold of her Probation counselor. Usually they can pull some strings in bringing your child home early.

Children here are in and out of Detention for Truancy/Running away. They usually dont stay beyond 30 days.

I live in Arkansas and havent heard about the kids being sent to jail. I have known a parent having to o to court due to the fact the kid skipped school. It was the parent I thought would go to jail. Something to look into.
What part of Ark are you in? I am in NWA.