In a letter written from the Jasper County School District, parents are warned about the legality’s of students missing school during state wide testing. 

“Parents are required to make children of the appropriate age attend school. (Section 59-65- 20.) Therefore, it is not appropriate for parents to "opt out" by keeping their students at home on testing days. Jasper County School District adheres to all state, federal, and local guidelines. In conclusion, we are required by state and federal laws to administer the tests to all students. Students are expected to attend and behave in accordance with school policies.”

The only problem with this warning is there’s a major bus driver shortage and some parents have a hard time getting their children back and forth to school. 

We are glad that the school district is very concerned about the law. We would like to remind the school district of the law regarding public transportation to the students of Jasper County School District. 

SECTION 59-67-420. Extent of transportation to be provided.

(A) The State, acting through the State Board of Education, assumes no obligation to transport any student to or from school who lives within one and one-half miles of the school he attends, nor to provide transportation services extending within three-tenths of a mile walking distance of the residence of any student, nor to furnish transportation for any student who attends a school outside the school attendance zone in which the student resides when the same grade is taught in an appropriate school that is located within the school district in which the student resides. THE STATE SHALL BEAR THE COST OF TRANSPORTING STUDENTS TO REGULARLY ORGANIZED INSTRUCTIONAL CLASSES IN THE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AREA FOR WHICH STATE-REQUIRED SCHOOL CREDIT IS GIVEN. The State is not responsible for any additional transportation that is not authorized by state law or regulation.