We often talk about what’s wrong with our educational system. I hear a lot of discussion about our schools, teachers and test scores, but what is truly the most important part of a child’s education rarely seems to come up in our conversations: our own involvement in education as parents.
One of my key goals as DeKalb County solicitor-general is to make sure all kids get the best start possible.
As the mom of two young girls, I know how hard it is to get them up early and ready for school, pack their lunches, help with homework and take them to activities. It’s no easy job for anyone, and it can be especially challenging for those who are single parents, work two jobs or face economic challenges.
However, before we can blame anyone else for what our kids are not learning or for the crime problems in our neighborhoods, we have to take a look at ourselves.
My office receives about 700 cases of educational neglect each year from the DeKalb school system where children have more than five unexcused absences in one school year. Some of these kids have missed more than 40 days of school in just six months.
These children are likely to fall far behind their peers and have a difficult time succeeding in the future. Because Georgia law requires all kids ages six to 16 to be in school, my office has to bring these students’ parents to court to face fines, up to 30 days in jail or community service.
But we don’t want to send people to jail. What we want to do is change attitudes about education. That’s why we have a diversion program called the Attendance Review Team, where these parents sign a contract that their kids won’t have any more unexcused absences, while meeting monthly with a teacher, counselor or social worker.
We want to get kids back in school and make parents realize education could make all the difference in the world for their children’s future.
Quite simply, a lack of education often means a life of crime. Truancy is the No. 1 predictor of criminal activity for boys and the No. 2 predictor of criminal activity for girls. And about 90 percent of DeKalb jail inmates are high school dropouts. If we can keep more kids in school, we’re likely to have much safer communities.
Education also means limitless opportunities. New statistics show us that high school graduates make an average of $630,000 more than dropouts do over the course of their lives. Since children often have trouble seeing the big picture, it’s up to us parents to constantly remind them they will have a better future if they stay in school.
As this school year begins, I hope you will join me in spreading a positive attitude with your kids about education and what it could mean for their future. I hope you will encourage perfect attendance and reward them for being in school every day. If you’re not a parent, I hope you will watch out for the children in your neighborhood, and let us know if you notice kids at home when you believe they should be in school.
It takes all of us working together to create a better future, prevent crime and give our kids the opportunities they deserve.
Sherry Boston is DeKalb County solicitor-general.