#cutsprogram

[magscoonley]

When Truancy Programs Target Chronically Ill Kids, It’s Harassment

Due to his heart condition and cerebral palsy, my second-grader Magnusson tends to exceed the state’s limit for absences each school year. To protect him, we have a 504 plan and chronic illness form in place. His current school, however, decided to involve the state’s truancy program CUTS this year, and I had to meet with their representative yesterday.

Me: I don’t understand why you’re dragging me in here when you already have doctors’ notes and other documentation to prove that he’s chronically ill, not truant. He has excellent grades. This feels like harassment.

Man from CUTS: Well, we do this so to make you aware of the importance of attendance and aware that your child can get cited when he’s older.

Me: You do realize that we can’t prevent sickness due to his medical condition, right? Is your goal to stress us out? Is he supposed to magically heal himself in light of this information? And are you saying that when he’s older and misses school due to heart surgery, you plan to charge or fine him? Should I get a lawyer now?

Man from CUTS: [dumbfounded look]