Should Parents Who Skip School Conferences Face Jail Time?

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ByABC News
October 20, 2010, 5:37 AM

Oct. 20, 2010— -- A prosecutor in Detroit has what some might call an extreme idea: to jail parents who don't show up for parent-teacher conferences.

According to the Detroit News, prosecutor Kym Worthy announced her plan at a city council meeting last night. While it's not official policy yet, Worthy believes her idea lives up to her name.

"We have to find any means necessary to get parents involved," she told the council, according to the Detroit News. "We have to start talking about prevention."

With the city's shrinking population and shriveling tax base, Detroit's public schools face serious budget shortfalls and are among the most troubled in the nation.

Worthy's rule would require parents to attend at least one parent-teacher conference a year, working around parents' schedules, with reminders from the schools. If parents were convicted, their sentences could be delayed to give them another chance to attend the conference.

Our question to you today: Is jail time for parents who don't attend school conferences a good idea or a step too far?

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