Kids Who Skip School Are Tracked By Gps - Middle School Reading Article Worksheet (Page 2 of 4) in pdf

Vale Middle School Reading Article

Kids Who Skip School are Tracked by GPS

Notes on my thoughts,

has been implemented, average attendance among the chronically truant jumped from 77 percent

reactions and questions as I

up to 95 percent during the six-week program.

read:

That attendance rate dips slightly once students no longer carry the tracking device, Miller said,

but many learn new habits that help them. The coaches continue talking to them for a year.

Local school administrators say they are thrilled by the concept.

"This is their last chance at an intervention," said Kristen Levitin, principal at Dale Junior High in

west Anaheim. "Anything that can help these kids get to class is a good thing."

In all, about 75 students from Dale and South junior high schools are taking part in the pilot

program. District officials will decide later whether to expand it to high schools and other junior

highs.

Earlier this week, parents and students came to the Anaheim Family Justice Center to get the

devices and talk to police and counselors.

Not all parents were supportive.

"I feel like they come at us too hard, and making kids carry around something that tracks them

seems extreme," said Raphael Garcia, whose 6th grader has six unexcused absences.

Chronically truant students in grades 4-6, and their parents, also were required to attend and,

while they won't be required to carry a GPS device, they were warned about what they could face

if they continue to skip school.

"This makes us seem like common criminals," Garcia said.

Police Investigator Armando Pardo reminded parents that letting kids skip school without a valid

reason is, in fact, a crime.

If the District Attorney chooses to prosecute, truant students could be sentenced to juvenile hall

and parents could face up to a $2,000 fine, Pardo said.

Hoping to keep their child at Dale Junior High, the Cruz family brought their son, Juan, to get a

GPS.

He's has five excused and five unexcused absences already this year; his recent report card

showed his highest grade is a C and he's failing several classes.

Miller, who showed Juan Cruz, 13, how to operate the device and tried to encourage him, asked

why he wasn't going to school.

"Sometimes I'm sick and, other times, I just don't feel like going," he said.

"This will be good," Miller told Cruz. "You looking forward to it?"

"No," Juan Cruz said, shaking his head. "I'm going to keep it in my pocket, though, so I don't lose

it."

Parents will be responsible for paying for lost devices. But Miller said that rarely happens. They

are tracking devices and typically can be found immediately.

Juan Cruz's mom, Cristina, said she supports the program and hopes it helps her son get to

school – and stay there.

"I understand that he's been missing class. He's one of six children, and we can't always keep an

eye on him," she said in Spanish. "I think this is a good idea that will help him."

Carpenter, E. Kids who skip school are tracked by GPS. Feb. 17, 2011. Available at: Mar. 30, 2011.

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