NCJ Number
202859
Date Published
August 2000
Length
49 pages
Annotation
After assessing current efforts to reduce truancy in Wisconsin public schools, this report reviews a number of "best practices" for addressing truancy used by various institutions and organizations.
Abstract
On average, approximately 15,600 students are truant from Wisconsin schools on any given day, and nearly one-third of student absences in the 1998-99 academic year were caused by truancy. To address this problem, State statutes were significantly revised in 1997 Wisconsin Act 239, which expanded the definition of habitual truancy and provided municipal governments with additional options for addressing both intermittent and habitual truancy. Many of the local governments surveyed in this audit have strengthened their truancy ordinances as a result of the legislation, and most local government officials, school administrators, and law enforcement officials believe the changes assist municipalities in addressing truant behavior. This audit concluded, however, that the statutory changes intended to reduce truancy have not yet lowered truancy rates. In fact, the proportion of students classified as habitual truants increased significantly during 1998-99, the first year for which the expanded definition of habitual truancy applied. Improvement in truancy rates may occur in the future as municipalities take advantage of the increased number of options provided by the changes. Among the best practices suggested in this audit are contacting parents directly about their children's truancy, notifying parents when their children are in danger of being classified as habitual truants, and using the municipal court system to speed the process of sanctioning habitual truants. Another suggestion is that municipalities address simple and habitual truancy through the use of ordinances. Action under municipal ordinances can allow for earlier intervention and swifter consequences for truant behavior than action taken under State statutes in circuit courts, particularly if the county is unable or unwilling to devote resources to prosecuting truancy cases. As another means of addressing truancy, several Wisconsin communities have established multiagency programs that include youth service centers, commonly known as truancy abatement centers. These centers provide counseling for truants apprehended by local police officers. This audit includes suggestions for ways in which these truancy abatement centers can determine their effectiveness. 14 tables and appended list of members of the Best Practices Local Government Advisory Council, a list of municipalities contacted for the audit regarding truancy, and truancy statutes in selected Midwestern States