In 2009, the North Dakota legislature passed SB 2217, which lowered the penalty for truancy from a felony to an infraction for a first offense and a class B misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense. Additionally, the legislature required the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to convene a workgroup to further study truancy…

Under the New Mexico Public School Code, the right of parents to home-school their children is recognized. "Home School" is defined as the operation by a parent, legal guardian, or other person having custody of a school-age person who instructs a home study program that provides a basic academic educational program, including but not…

Discussed are the pros and cons of compulsory school attendance: the impact on the state, the parent, and the child; judicial rulings; and options for providing alternative and flexible learning experiences. (KC)

The 16 school districts in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, found that the most effective method to reduce truancy is to take truants to court. As a result of truancy prosecution, hundreds of students are back in school. Outlines an eight-step program to put a solid truancy prosecution program in place. (MLF)

From 1981 through 1983, 32 schools in 28 districts participated in the pilot study authorized by California's School Attendance Improvement Act. On the basis of that study, the first of this report's two chapters offers six steps for a comprehensive approach to improving attendance: (1) assessing actual attendance, (2) developing policies and…

Accuracy in student accounting procedures gives school districts a sound basis of financial and statistical information for all subsequent decision making. The purposes of this manual are to describe the student accounting system used in Oregon and to assist districts in their efforts to maintain accurate records and report properly to the state…

Outlines the legal authority permitting North Carolina school officials to excuse all students' attendance under a uniform policy and applies this policy to absences and early checkouts by 18-year-olds. Cites cases supporting school officials' legal duty to consider exemptions for 18-year-olds with extenuating family circumstances. Cites 37…

Truancy continues to be a pervasive problem in American education. This article describes the extent of the problem, strategies for early intervention, legal sanctions, and school conditions as a source of students' alienation. (Contains 10 references.) (LMI)

One of the South Carolina Department of Education's foremost responsibilities is to initiate attendance improvement programs. Among the services offered to carry out this responsibility is assistance to attendance personnel in developing professional approaches to absenteeism. This guide contains information on the role and function of attendance…

The increasing rate of absenteeism among Canadian and U.S. public school students is discussed noting the widespread effects of low attendance. Eight questions are provided as a starting point for reassessment of school board attendance policy. Ontario attendance legislation and current enforcement practices are briefly explained. (SB)

Guidelines, based on the California Education Code and the California Community College Student Attendance Accounting Manual, are presented as an aid to program-level administrators and staff preparing for a state audit of program attendance records. After introductory material examining the role of average daily attendance (ADA) and weekly…

The challenge for state boards of education is meeting their obligations to ensure a quality education for all children while considering parents' right to educate their children. The controversy over home instruction can be reduced to a discussion about compelling state interest. This document provides state board members with concise factual…

This procedures manual is intended to provide guidance to Maine school officials for developing strategies and policies to assure regular attendance of students in school. Part 1 examines factors affecting school attendance, noting that the school and home may serve as enablers for the student who becomes unaccountable for attendance. These…

Ways in which schools, law enforcement agencies and communities can work together to develop strategies to effectively reduce truancy are provided in this handbook. Areas covered include: (1) a definition of truancy; (2) a truant profile; (3) strategies for dealing with a truant; (4) suggestions for components of truancy reduction programs; and…

This handbook provides guidance to school administrators in setting up an effective school attendance system. After brief introductory sections on the importance of good attendance and on how to recognize whether excessive pupil absences are a problem, the third section discusses how to organize the attendance services: outlining objectives;…