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This report highlights effective strategies for reducing truancy in schools, based on the November 2008 review by the Legislative Audit Bureau. It discusses the statutory requirements for school attendance until age 18, the definition of habitual truancy, and the role of the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) in tracking attendance data. Key best practices include policy review, early intervention, parental involvement, and community support. The report also addresses the significant rates of habitual truancy in large districts like Milwaukee Public Schools and emphasizes the need for local assessment of truancy reduction efforts.
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Best Practices Review:Truancy Reduction Efforts Legislative Audit Bureau November 2008
Statutory Framework • Children are required to attend school until age 18 under the compulsory attendance law • School boards are required to establish policies and plans related to attendance and truancy, and to review them periodically • Statutes define habitual truancy as five or more unexcused absences per semester
Role of DPI in Truancy Reduction • Collect attendance and truancy data • Administer Title I funding awards • Provide consultation services
Best Practice: District Review of Statutory Compliance • Distribute the attendance policy • Review the truancy plan every two years • Assess policy implementation • Definition of tardy • Personal contact
Best Practice: Early Intervention • Statewide, truancy peaks in the 9th grade • Sanctions for truancy may be effective with younger pupils
Best Practice:Alternative Programming • Recognize low academic achievement can hamper attendance of older pupils • Minimize opportunities for pupils to leave the school grounds • Modify the hours pupils are at the school building
Best Practice: Involve Parents, Guardians, and the Community • Statutes require notification of parents and guardians • Community resources include law enforcement, university students, and local not-for-profit agencies
Best Practice: Consider Available Sanctions • School-based sanctions may include detention time and prohibitions on extracurricular activities • Sanctions under municipal ordinance allow for more immediate enforcement of compulsory attendance law
Habitual Truancy Rates in Milwaukee Public Schools • In 2006-07, 46.3 percent of pupils enrolled in MPS were habitual truants • Community collaboration involves numerous public agencies and varied funding sources • Program effectiveness of targeted efforts has been mixed
Best Practices: Assess Effectiveness and Share Results • Districts’ truancy reduction efforts are best assessed at the local level • DPI is well-positioned to facilitate sharing of the results of district-level assessments
Best Practices Review:Truancy Reduction Efforts Legislative Audit Bureau November 2008