How To Prevent Truancy
Truancy Defined
The definition of truancy is when a child, typically adolescent to teen aged, misses more than the
allowed number of days of school. Each state has a different protocol for what they consider is an
appropriate number of unexcused absences. "Habitual truancy" is when a child misses several
consecutive days in a row or hits a total number of unexcused absences for a semester or year. In
cases of habitual truancy, it is not uncommon for the juvenile or family court to become involved.
Consequences of Truancy
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) recognizes four main divisions
between the risk factors and kids who have a pattern of skipping school.
1. Family Orientation
inadequate supervision
poor attitude about importance of educationpoverty
alcohol or drug abuse
uninformed about current state attendance laws
2. School Influences
Population of school
School teaching styles
School does not provide a "safe" environment
Shortage of resources to deal with the investigation of potentially truant kids
School's ability to deal with learning disabilities and emotional disabilities
Inconsistent collection of attendance data
Overall attitude about attendance and learning
3. Socioeconomic Issues
Kids who have to work to support the family
Kids who are not allowed to attend school for religious reasons
Single parent families
Kids of military families who may be excessively mobile
Parents with multiple jobs
Inadequate transportation
4. The Students Themselves
Being bullied at school
Drug and alcohol abuse
Illness or emotional problems
Mental disability
Social disorders
Effects of Truancy
The effects of children chronically missing school are both immediate and latent. Kids may fall prey
to being "pushed out" and be expelled because they are truant or underachieving. Kids who are
truant are more likely to dropout or not graduate and if they do dropout they are less likely to acquire
their GED.
Kids who attempt to stay in school but continue to struggle with truancy also struggle with low grades
and may have to repeat grades. Kids may have behavioral issues and administrative staff may not
be equipped to deal with the needs of the individual. Kids may resort to substance abuse ,
delinquency, criminal activity, gang involvement or they may become involved in more serious
criminal activity which can be problematic. SeeCharacteristics of a Juvenile Delinquent. Children
who are habitually truant can be placed in juvenile detention facilities. 60% of all cases that go to
court are adjudicated - meaning they are convicted. The outcomes are varying because each case is
disposed of based on the individual. In most cases kids are placed on probation, however kids can
be put in foster care or group homes. There is noevidence that suggests taking truant children away
from their homes and families successfully deters truancy.
Ways To Reduce Truancy
Experts agree that the #1 way to reduce truancy is to attach families to the schools and the
community to work together to understand the importance of education. If the school, the family and
the community are all are working together, it's much more likely that productive strategies will be put
into place and used effectively.
Schools must keep accurate attendance records and maintain consistency for all students in regards
to excused and unexcused absences. If the policies about absences are clear, students and parents
will be less likely to be confused.
School districts sometimes create alternatives to suspension and expulsion. Often times schools or
juvenile and family court systems will negotiate contracts with truant kids hoping to foster attendance
by holding the child accountable.
Many school districts offer after school programs, alternative school programs, technical schools and
specialized training schools which have been successful for many youth. They may include dance,
art, advanced courses or training and are often tailored to the individual student's learning style
through the use of an IEP (individual education program).
Creating a safe and positive atmosphere for all students that provides discipline, structure and
support from the family, the school and the community will most likely be our best hope for reducing
truancy in the future.