Truancy can be traced to four causes: an unsupportive school environment, lack of community support, chaotic family life, and personal deficits. School-based responses feature either academic incentives for good attendance, administrative consequences for nonattendance, academic consequences for nonattendance, or supportive services. Counseling…

Literature offering solutions to reduce student absenteeism can be divided into four categories: stringent state/community laws and regulations (parental sanctions, zero credit for missed work, suspensions, and police interventions); in-school programs to increase school effectiveness; use of computer technology to lasso truants and inform…

Established and novel multivariate methods were used to examine informants' rankings of 73 motives/causes for truancy. Five main relatively homogeneous clusters of motives/causes emerged, two covering a previously recognized pattern of parent-condoned truancy, and three related to recognized syndromes of adolescent delinquency. It was suggested…

This paper explores the relationship between adolescent marijuana use and school attendance. Data were pooled from the 1997 and 1998 National Household Surveys on Drug Abuse to form a sample of 15 168 adolescents, aged 12-18 years, who had not yet complete high school. The analysis determined the role of marijuana use in adolescent school dropout…

The importance of school attendance in relation to achievement, engagement, and educational success has been well researched and documented. As a result, the general philosophy is that the more time students are in school, the better chance they have to be personally and academically successful. Students miss school for myriad reasons. While some…

This paper derives from the author's recent research into disadvantaged children's access to compulsory education in England. Examining the national attendance strategies and practice, the author interrogates the current trend towards a more punitive approach to addressing the problem of school absenteeism while debating the issue of irresponsible…

The major focus of this study was to examine how children's perceptions of attachment security and children's emotion regulation predict school disengagement among elementary school truants. This study utilized an exploratory, cross-sectional survey design. Data collection was accomplished with four standardized survey instruments, completed by 74…

The purpose of this article is to discuss the Japanese educational system and how the transformed society influenced the appearance of school counselors in the educational setting. In addition, a comparison of issues that influenced the emergence of these professionals to those in the United States is provided. Finally, a discussion is included…

For 3.5 years, North Carolina has conducted a randomized experimental program designed to provide intensive supervision services for undisciplined youths (status offenders) placed under the protective supervision of the juvenile courts. Updated results from an ongoing systematic evaluation of the project indicate that, for undisciplined youths…

This Wisconsin Legislative Council information memorandum describes 1987 Wisconsin Act 285, relating to truancy and dispositional alternatives for children adjudged delinquent or in need of protection or services based on habitual truancy. Part I of the memorandum lists eight highlights of Act 285. Part II describes statutes not affected by Act…

Author discussed the deportment and attitudes of the girls at the York Way open class, attached to the Starcross School, and the influence the school has on influencing the girls from becoming truants. (RK)

A new attendance policy is outlined that is credited with significantly reducing unauthorized absences at Hauppauge High School in New York. (Author/MLF)

Changing from a rather extensive medical excuse system to a policy of issuing no excuses whatever has produced no short- or long-term difficulties associated with medical staff, students, faculty, or administration. (JD)

Related a high school district's attempt to reduce absenteeism through use of an autodialing machine. Explains the mechanisms of the system and proposes additional uses for it. Indicates that improved attendance rates occurred after its incorporation. (ML)

In this study, the data suggest that rising unemployment increases pupil motivation and thereby acts as an instrument of social control in schools as well as in the labor market; less equivocally, the data challenge current arguments alleging the demotivating and demoralizing effect of unemployment on school pupils. (Author/CT)