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Troubled teens might lose wheels under schools plan
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K.M. CANNON/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Sixteen-year-old Briana Mendoza waits for her number to be called while getting her driver's license at the West Flamingo Road Department of Motor Vehicles with her mother Lupe Mendoza and sister Bianca Mendoza, 8. Briana Mendoza said she supports a Clark County School Board idea for a state law that would punish potential dropouts and truants by denying them driver's licenses. » Buy this photo
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Clark County School District officials are seeking to use driver's licenses and work permits as leverage against potential dropouts and truants.
Under legislation proposed by the district, those kinds of problem students could lose their licenses or work permits, which teens between 14 and 18 must have, according to Clark County Juvenile Justice Services. Their parents might have to attend classes on how to become better parents. Moms and dads also could forfeit their hunting and fishing licenses if their children are not showing up at school.
The Clark County School Board on Wednesday approved forwarding those ideas to state legislators who next meet for a regular session in 2011. The board stipulated that its approval of the proposed bill draft was in concept only since many of the details still need to be worked out.
Some board members shuddered over the punitive measures of the "Graduation Priority Act," but liked the idea of starting a conversation in the community.
"There have to be accountability measures," School Board member Carolyn Edwards said. "I believe, generationally, parenting skills have decreased over time. We have gotten easier and easier on our children. ... There used to be a time when the parent believed the teacher over the student. Today, it's a very different story."
At Wednesday's board meeting, Robert Cordner, a parent and grandparent, argued that responsibility must rest with the parents, not the government.
Under the proposed bill, the "school determines who drives and who does not. Do we really want to be in that position in the community?" Cordner asked.
Requiring teen workers to show proof of school attendance would also send a message that "employers now work for the school," he said.
"What I am trying to say is that the emphasis is on the wrong syllable," Cordner said. Instead of imposing new punishments, the district should research why kids are dropping out.
Shelby Schroeder, 15, also thought the proposed bill was an overly simplistic solution to a complex problem.
"I don't think it's fair," said Schroeder, a sophomore at Palo Verde High School. "People can get pregnant or something. There are other reasons why kids drop out."
Shelby was waiting to get an instructional driving permit with her dad, Mike Schroeder, at the Department of Motor Vehicles office on West Flamingo Road near Buffalo Drive.
Mike Schroeder said a no-driving rule targeting dropouts would be fine as long as it's aimed at those under 18 years of age.
Briana Mendoza, 16, a senior at Cimarron-Memorial High School, thought the rule would be a good incentive for teens to stay in school.
"If they don't have a driver's license, they can't go to the store and get cigarettes," added her mother, Lupe Mendoza.
The proposed legislation would supplement existing laws on the books for punishing parents of truants and determining work hours for youth, district officials said. The proposal doesn't break new ground, officials said. Other states, including West Virginia and Minnesota, already have adopted laws that deny dropouts driver's licenses.
Under the district's proposal, driver's licenses would be subject to annual renewal for those under 18. Teens would need to show proof of high school enrollment, attendance information and evidence of passing grades. Truancy citations would become bench warrants prohibiting the issuance of a driver's license without the intervention of a judge.
Under the employment provision of the proposed legislation, those younger than 18 would have to show proof of school attendance and passing grades, which employers would have to keep on file. The information would be subject to examination by state inspectors. Exceptions might be made for those with hardship circumstances.
Not all the recommendations are punitive -- some proposed changes would help correct deficiencies in truancy law, officials said. Students with 10 or more absences could make up time by enrolling in extra classes or passing a high-stakes test to show proficiency. Currently, these students are subject to denial of credit and/or promotion to the next grade.
The sense of futility is often what causes many students to drop out, said Joyce Haldeman, the district's associate superintendent for government and community relations.
The legislation also proposes new kinds of diplomas for high-achieving students who want to graduate early or who are focused on a particular trade.
Help might also be on the way for students who are doing well in school but are having trouble passing state proficiency exams, which are a requirement of graduation. Seniors who have taken the test multiple times might have their passing grade based on a combined or cumulative score from all their previous tests.
To be eligible for a passing grade by a cumulative score, the senior would have to meet certain qualifications such as having sufficient credit, a grade point average of 2.75 or better and compliance with attendance requirements.
Contact reporter James Haug at jhaug@reviewjournal.com or 702-374-7917.
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"the district should research why kids are dropping out." This is the underlying principle. Rather than blame the workplace for luring students away from studies, they should acknowledge that the education system is the problem.
Ever Been To DMV? They can barely get the job done now. Government doesnt get it. We need LESS GOVERNMENT, not more. Leave the kids alone. School isnt the end all. This is about $$ for the school district, as when kids miss, they get less funding.
Have a drivers license has NOTHING to do with attendance in school, and in fact, its MORE LIKELY kids would not attend since they cannot drive to school. Duh.
Moreover, Henry Ford has a 6th grade education, Bill Gates dropped out of College, they seemed to do alright.
FOr some kids, school is a waste of time, a state sponsored brainwashing of information so they can someday get a job to serve the state and pay taxes...well hey, guess what, not everyone wants a job , some want to create jobs, some want to do other things with their life, things they dont teach in high school, and never will.
With 95% of the population never achieving financial independance...one could argue that what they are teaching in school may just not be the right information for success in life anyway.
YOu may do just as well with a library card and a drivers license.
sounds like a good idea....i hope it happens
When did not having a driver license stop someone from driving a motor vehicle in Las Vegas Valley? Hundreds, if not thousands, who have no license, no insurance, no vehicle registration, and no regard for laws drive motor vehicles here.
"Troubled teens may lose wheels...." now there's something to think about. What business do troubled teens have behind the wheel of a 2-ton, fast moving machine?
The bottom line is something like this is needed. Currently, a kid does something wrong at school and gets the equivalent of a talking to because everyone is so worried about offending the kid or making them feel bad. There are no consequences for their actions so bad habits and bad behavior continue. Privileges such as driving, extra cirricular activities, and having an after school job (and yes they are privileges) should be revoked from these kids is they are causing problems or not cutting it. Let's face it people, highschool is a teenagers warm up for adult life, they are not entitled to anything and need to be held accountable for their actions. If they are not held accountable the "something for nothing" sense of entitlement that is currently driving this country into ruin will continue. I say BRAVO! to the district for trying to make some headway.
Mike Vegas makes an excellent point: "We can't all be Doctors and Lawyers!" I remember in High School all the nerds and geeks got good grades in College Prep classes, while the not so bright people shined in classes like wood shop, agriculture, Home Ec.
We should teach the students the basics (reading, writing, math,...) then create a curriculum that targets the specific needs of the demographic.
Seems as though personal responsibility is becoming obsolete. It's a sad commentary on society when we are forced to parent kids who have parents who are either too stupid, too high, too absent, or just plain unconcerned about their child's education and future. Laws like this may make a difference in a few cases, but maybe those few will not be welfare recipients. Parents, ask yourself: what is your kid doing when you are not around? Are you monitoring their before and after school activities? Do you know where they go on the internet? Who are their friends and do you ever contact their parents? No one said being a parent was easy. Maybe we need to issue licenses first.
This is ridiculous. Another government attempt to wipe the butts of lazy Americans. At 14 I knew the consequences of truancy, dropping out of high school ,etc. I'm not excusing the parents but this crosses the line. If the kids don't want to go to school then they can flip burgers all their life.
Oh yeah, I pay enough taxes for your salaries and the monstrosity you call a school system...I will not pay any more taxes to create a bigger and more monstrous system...FIX THE BROKEN ONE YOU NOW HAVE..