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RIVERTON, Utah (AP) -- Students in the habit of being late or missing class have to pay up at Riverton High School.
The school has implemented a system of fines aimed at keeping kids in class and getting them there on time.
"If we expect kids to be successful in life, they need to establish (good) habits at this age," principal Steve Park said.
Starting with the third tardy or the fourth absence -- including excused absences -- students have to buy tickets to go to attendance school. It's $2 for a tardy and $3 for an absence and students spend the make-up sessions doing school work -- sans food, drink and electronic devices.
Bingham High School in South Jordan instituted a similar policy three years ago and it seems to be working.
When the school began the policy, full-day attendance stood at 78 percent. For the 2005-06 school year, Bingham's rate went up to about 92 percent.
"The bottom line is we're not about punishing kids," Bingham assistant principal Dennis Edmonds said. "We have a sincere belief that the way to educate them is to keep them in school."
Both schools allow for students to miss class for athletics or other school-approved activities.
Not surprisingly, Riverton students don't like the new policy, which some describe as "strict" and "stupid."
"If you get a flat or in a car wreck you still have to pay," Riverton senior Anthony Thompson said.
Riverton junior Patricia Bills said the system is unfair because sometimes it's a struggle to get through crowded hallways and make it to class on time. Her mother, Joan, also doesn't see much good in the fine system.
"Most of the kids aren't going to pay. Their parents are going to pay," Joan Bills said.
Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune,
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
