➡ From Child Welfare Information Gateway NJ:
PA: Why DA Seth Williams is wrong about criminalizing truancy (Opinion)
News Works – April 15, 2016
Such sanctions fail to re-engage students and families in school. Instead, they push families further away and increase distrust of schools — while failing to address the underlying root causes of the child?s truancy. It is because of such research and experience that there are only three states nationwide that still criminalize truancy. For example, a report on truancy in Texas by the National Center for School Engagement found that criminalizing conduct, imposing hefty fines, or withholding learning only alienated families and students. A study in Los Angeles disclosed that the use of punitive measures was similarly ineffective because they failed to address the root causes of attendance problems.
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/essay-works/item/92871-why-da-seth-williams-is-wrong-about-criminalizing-truancy