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Policy, Research and Analysis
Policy Forum March 2008–Truancy: The Absent Epidemic
Research has shown that truancy has been linked to serious delinquent activity in youth, such as substance abuse, gang activity and criminal activity, including burglary, auto theft and vandalism. Students who are chronically missing school have also been linked to negative outcomes in adulthood as well. Because of the negative impacts of truancy, the No Child Left Behind Act requires that states report truancy rates to the federal government. For the 2006-2007 school year, the average truancy report rate for the public schools (DCPS and charters) was 17.42 percent. However, eight elementary schools had truancy rates above 30 percent and six secondary schools had truancy rates greater than 50 percent and is a cause for concern.
The March 2008 Policy Forum focused on successful practices and interventions which contribute to reducing truancy rates in schools. Forum speakers addressed some of the following questions:
- How is truancy defined, generally?
- What is the “state” of truancy across states?
- What are the major contributing factors to student truancy?
- What are some of the education, social and economic/career implications of truancy?
- What “best practices,” policies, and evidence-based models are being successfully implemented?
- What states/cities are doing a good job at reducing truancy?
Speakers included:
- Ken Seeley, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Center for School Engagement
- Jay Henry, Director, Office of Truancy and Delinquency Prevention, Department of Human Services, Philadelphia Government
- DC VOICE Youth Representatives
To access speaker bios and speaker presentations, please select from the following list:
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