Woodfin tells parents to get your children to school
Mayor Randall Woodfin said Tuesday that Birmingham schools have unusually large numbers of truant students and, if he has to, he’ll push for parents to be held legally accountable for allowing their children to stay home from school.
Ten weeks into the school year, well more than half of third graders are considered truants, which means they have seven or more unexcused absences, Woodfin said.
“It’s unacceptable,” Woodfin said. “Teachers cannot teach your child if they are not in class.”
He said as much in a social media post Monday, encouraging adults to make sure their children attended school.
“You would have thought I slapped somebody,” he told the City Council in its Tuesday meeting, “because a lot of people lost their mind.”
He said he thought people were not paying attention to the word “unexcused” in his comments. Of course children get sick or have problems, but he said that’s not what he’s talking about. He’s talking about kids who just don’t show up.
Tuesday, he doubled down on his comments despite the backlash.
Woodfin said he’s talked with the Jefferson County district attorney, because truancy is a crime for which parents or guardians can be held responsible. He’s also talked with officials at the Birmingham Housing Authority, because adults who don’t send their children to school are putting their housing at risk.
“I don’t want to put any energy or coordinated effort with engaging the DA’s office or the housing authority to threaten parents to do what they are responsible for for their child,” Woodfin said. “But I will.”
The issue is more important than usual this year because children in third grade will be forced to repeat the grade if they do not pass reading tests in the spring. The instinct is to blame teachers, he pointed out. But he said teachers cannot be held responsible if children don’t show up for schools.
Woodfin said he was putting on notice parents who consistently allow their child to be absent without reason.
Several members of the council agreed. Councilor Crystal Smitherman pointed out that brown and black kids will be most affected when children are held back later this school year.
I discovered one way to fight loneliness: The Germans call it a Stammtisch
Modern life can be lonely. Some are looking to an old German tradition – of drinking and conversation – to deepen connection through regular meetups.
This Christmas I’ll be grieving. Here’s how I’ll be finding joy.
Since her husband's death, newscaster Windsor Johnston has been looking for ways to recapture joy and continue her healing journey — one that's taken her to a place she'd never expected.
On tap for the holidays: A blend of multicultural drink traditions and fond memories
For this year's All Things Considered holiday cocktail interview, we visited Providencia in Washington, D.C., a bar that brings its owners' personal stories to life.
College students get emotional about climate change. Some are finding help in class
A recent survey finds that more than half of young people aged 16-25 are highly worried about climate change. Some universities are now trying to help them navigate those emotions in class.
Two US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent ‘friendly fire’ incident
Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down Sunday over the Red Sea by apparent "friendly fire", the most serious incident to threaten troops in over a year of America targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels.
Party City files for bankruptcy and plans to shutter nationwide
Party City was once unmatched in its vast selection of affordable celebration goods. But over the years, competition stacked up at Walmart, Target, Spirit Halloween, and especially Amazon.
