This report provides a summary of the results of a survey intended to gather firsthand information concerning truancy and absenteeism in Illinois schools. The report includes data on attendance patterns and policies in various Illinois school districts, legal actions taken by the districts in response to truant behavior, ratings of assistance…

In response to a legislative mandate to gather statistics on school-related crime in California public schools, the state department of education prepared this preliminary report based on survey data reported by 914 California school districts covering the period from September 1, 1980, to February 1, 1981. During this period 105,328 incidents of…

Students at two inner city elementary schools who were consistently truant were divided into six groups according to the reasons they were absent. The school social worker describes techniques used to combat truancy in each category. (HMV)

The school-related problems discussed in this article cover three major areas: disruptive behaviors in the classroom; academic behaviors in the classroom and at home; and school attendance as related to both truancy and school phobias. (Author/AM)

An explanatory model of dropping out of school is presented. A test of the model in four high schools revealed the following: (1) data on dropouts underestimate the true figures; (2) junior high experiences are important correlates of dropping out; (3) institutional procedures need to be changed; and (4) outreach programs are needed. (VM)

In an in-school suspension setting, the effects of a therapeutic discipline program and a nontherapeutic discipline program on truants' attitudes and attendance were compared. It was found that therapeutic discipline students (a) held less positive attitudes towards attendance; (b) had better records of attendance; and (c) demonstrated greater…

This digest explores truancy in the urban context, examines the different types and reasons for truancy, and reviews the new ways that researchers and intervention programs are addressing this problem. No national data on truancy rates exist, but many larger cities report staggeringly high rates. The relationship between race or income and truancy…

State laws pertaining to truants, runaways, and other "status offenders"--as distinguished from delinquents who have committed crimes--are discussed. Characteristics of these youths and their families are noted. Shortcomings of existing programs for them and the need for educational alternatives are pointed out. (PP)

Reports on a study that investigated the causes for student truancy and responses to the problem by two urban California secondary schools. Holds that attendance problems are much influenced by organizational structures and that school administrators are inadequately prepared to shape effective attendance policy. (GC)

The cooperative effort of pupil services staff in working with chronic absenteeism has provided a much needed service to the school. The program described has been effective in getting middle/junior high school pupils to understand the importance of good attendance and in helping counselors meet a major guidance objective. (Author)

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)

The extent of truancy, dropout, and grade repetition in 36 Dutch secondary schools was correlated with contextual variables such as school size, class size, and percentage of non-Dutch pupils. Multiple regression showed that numbers of non-Dutch pupils and average class size were of importance regarding the extent of truancy. (SK)

A British year-seven pupil developed school attendance problems and was referred to home teaching along with a gradually phased reintegration to school. The program was unsuccessful until parental involvement in facilitating the girl's return to school was emphasized. This article examines the participants' search for a scapegoat and the role of…

Compared truant and nontruant comprehensive school adolescents (n=932). Compared to nontruants, truants had more solvent use, soft drug use, and involvement with hard drugs; were significantly more involved with other problematic behavior; scored higher on all negative social indices; and scored lower on measures of knowledge about drugs and human…