Truancy in Our School's: A Growing Problem

The success of our schools performing its primary functions of teaching, educating, and socializing the young is predicted on regular school attendance. Truancy is rated among the major problems facing schools today (Garry, 1996). Schools in some larger cities have reported absenteeism rates as high as 50 percent per day (Allen-Meares, 2004). The issue of truancy compromises schools' primary function and places our young people at risk. According to the Bilchik, truant students have the potential to lead …

…how it will occur. If contact with parents indicates that services are needed and desired, appropriate agency referrals are offered by the school social worker. It is the goal for Project REACH that though concentrated, high priority attention to students who are accruing frequent absences, increased involvement with the family and identification of their needs will bring a reduction in absences and assist the family in functional home and school success (Grooters & Faidley, 2002).