Truancy law applies to Pa. kindergartners
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that parents who enroll their children in kindergarten are subject to the state’s compulsory attendance law.
The case involved a Snyder County woman who was fined because her twin 5-year-old daughters had accumulated several unexcused absences.
Jennifer Kerstetter argued that since kindergarten is not mandatory in Pennsylvania, truancy law doesn’t apply.
But the court ruled Monday that once parents “opt in” to the public school system by enrolling their children in kindergarten, they are obligated to send their kids to school.
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