NCJ Number
164192
Date Published
1996
Length
8 pages
Annotation
After outlining five primary elements of a comprehensive community and educational strategy to combat truancy, this manual presents the program elements and results of seven model truancy reduction initiatives.
Abstract
One primary element of a comprehensive community and educational strategy to combat truancy is to involve parents in all truancy prevention activities. Many truancy programs contain components that provide intensive monitoring, counseling, and other family-strengthening services to truants and their families. Schools can help by being "family-friendly" and encouraging teachers and parents to make regular contact before problems arise. A second primary component is to ensure that students face firm sanctions for truancy; school districts should make clear to their students that they have zero tolerance for truancy. A number of States have passed laws that encompass various actions and programs for truants. A third component is to create meaningful incentives for parental responsibility. In some States, parents of truant children are asked to participate in parenting education programs; other States have determined that parents who fail to prevent truancy can be subject to formal sanction or lose eligibility for certain public assistance. Two other components are to establish ongoing truancy prevention programs in school and to involve local law enforcement in truancy reduction efforts. The model truancy reduction initiatives profiled are in Milwaukee, Wis.; Rohnert Park, Calif.; New Haven, Conn.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Norfolk, Va.; Marion, Ohio; and Peoria, Ariz. Technical resources are listed.