Our program involves graduated measures that begin with least restrictive responses to chronic truancy that can culminate in court proceedings before either a Juvenile Court Commissioner or Judge. At the initial point-of-contact, parents are reminded of district policy during the school registration period. Attendance specialists will then begin to track truancy patterns through the district’s attendance data base. Students who display chronic absenteeism will be identified and contacted to resolve the truancy. Letters will be sent to parents at specific truancy intervals should absenteeism continue to increase.
Prior to a court referral, the program coordinators will conduct a mandatory group meeting with the identified students and their parents. We have found that our process provides reasonable efforts to encourage attendance. Court proceedings involve the delivery of orders designed to create greater awareness to the importance of education while instilling accountability in both the truant student and the responsible guardian.