This is a GREAT idea! Apparently over the last twenty years, several states are implementing policies that restrict driving privileges for students that are having attendance, behavior or academic issues. For some reason researchers have been skeptical about the results, stating that there is little evidence pointing in favor of this practice. I'd personally like to review the raw data, since I can't imagine how this wouldn't be a massive motivator for truant teens; unless of course they just drive without a license. However, I would hope that there would be parental involvement in this instance - maybe I'm being optimistic, but most parents I know are rather loathe to place their children on their insurance in the first place, and are even less likely to allow them out the door with car keys when they are completely illegal to do so.
To date, twenty-seven states have some variety of this policy in place, and I would applaud the rest jumping on board. Professor Russell Rumberger at the University of California disagrees, stating that just because the students are in class doesn't mean they are learning anything. But how then are they to learn when they aren't there at all? At least this gets butts in seats (and teachers can't be dragging them kicking and screaming to strap them in); it is obviously up to the teachers at that point to get them engaged.
What if this program puts an individual or a family at economic risk? For example, imagine a family where the eldest child, because she speaks the language, is the primary income for the whole family. Would losing driving ability imperil the family?
ReplyDeleteThat's rough. I'm sure there are individuals who are in this type of situation, and yes it would hurt their family overall. I can't imagine putting a child in that position, nor being the child, but I suppose people do what is needed to get by. To be honest, I am not sure how I feel about these circumstances; I know if I moved my family to Moscow or San Salvadore, I wouldn't expect to easily get by in a foreign country where I didn't speak the language. Then again, there is no reason for me to do so, as I was born a white American... It is a situation I'm sure where an opinion can't really be passed unless you have been in it, and as I have been proven wrong in the past, I can't venture a solid guess now.
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