Where Are Your Kids, Idaho?

Missing Persons

By Shea Andersen, 1-27-06

As of today, nearly 14,000 Idaho children are unaccounted for by Idaho's school system.

Truant? Maybe. Home-schooled? Probably quite a few. On drugs? Who knows? Headed for jail? Possibly.

The whole point is, for one out of every 15 school-aged children in Idaho, we just don't know. Not a clue.

The missing-persons report came out today after Boise State University researchers spent a year trying, and failing, to track Idaho's kids.

Deep in the report is the fact that because home-schooled kids aren't tracked by the state, we have no idea of knowing just what happens to a kid when they disappear from school rolls. The study quotes some education officials as saying things like "We have no idea, and no responsibility to report," or, "I don't have a clue. There is no law; therefore there is no way of knowing."

Considering that Idaho has barely 1.4 million people in the state, according to the 2004 Census, the number is a wee bit shocking.

The Associated Press hopped on the story, and you can read their report here. In there you'll find quotes from home-school advocates who say the report is flawed, and that kids are getting an education in Idaho.

The problem there is that Idaho takes them at their word, and the kids disappear. Without any sort of communication between home-schoolers and school districts, it's going to be difficult for Idaho to effectively track and guide education in the state.

Certainly lots of anti-government folks (of which we have many) will say, "that's fine." The whole reason they're in home school situations is because they dispute the way Idaho takes care of its children's education.

But Idaho joins some unfortunate company in this regard. Idaho’s “missing students�? figures are nearly twice the national average of 3.5 percent and the 16th highest among all 50 states. Nationwide, 1.7 million children cannot be identified with any educational institution.

The report is in the hands of Idaho lawmakers, who are still trying to figure out how to pay for new school buildings. They might consider building one big one: according to the BSU study, if all these missing students were put together, they'd create the state's third-largest school district.

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By Shea Andersen, 1-27-06 | comments (6) | email story | print story

Comments

By Sharon Secor, 1-27-06

And so? Children are parents' responsibilities, not the state's. The state has no need to know where each child is, no need to track each individual. What on earth has gone wrong with our country that people seem to think that the state needs or has a right to be informed about the whereabouts and activities of each family and every child?

By Daryl Cobranchi, 1-27-06

I find it very strange that you refer to them as "Idaho's" children. Last time I checked, they were the parents'. Have we really reached the point where in loco parentis means the State IS the parent? I agree wholeheatedly with Ms. Secor-- the State can pound sand. Home educators are smart and politically active. Legislators cross us at their peril.

By N. McVicker, 1-27-06

"Idaho's kids"?

Boy, I'm glad I live in New Jersey, where the State knows that kids belong to their families!

By don, 1-27-06

Anywhere where public education can't reach them.

By Amy K, 1-28-06

You've got to be kidding. Why is it the government's business to track anyone's children? Not the least bit amused at the breath-taking arrogance that would lead the state to try to make homeschoolers register and test with them. One of the reasons I love Idaho is because of the limited government. Don't start with this crap now.

By J Black, 1-30-06

Something else to blame on the wolves..sad thing is, many of them will believe it!