truancy: research, policy & practices

Truancy: Research, Policy & PracticesJUDGE JOAN BYERSeptember 2010

Truancy StatisticsCurrently no national definitionNCLB requires state definition of truancyNCLB requires states collect truancy rates (not only attendance rates)

Troubling Statistics70% of suspended youth are chronically truant in the previous 6 months.97% of expelled youth are chronically truant in the previous year.80% of dropouts were chronically truant in the past year.90% of youth in detention for delinquent acts were truant.

Troubling Statistics25% of all expelled youth will be in youth corrections within 1 year.Truants are 2 to 8 times as likely to become adjudicated delinquents.Truants aged 12-15 are 10 to 15 times as likely to start marijuana use compared to non-truant or suspended youth or low academic performing youth.

Truancy and DelinquencyYouth Ages 12-15Onset of Serious Property Crimes *

Class Skipper4.69 times as likelyMinor Truant (1-3 Days)5.17 Moderate Truant (4-9Days)11.46 Chronic Truant (> 9 Days) 21.53

* Dr. Kimberly Henry, American Society of Criminology, Nov 2005

Effect of Truancy on Later Delinquency in Youth Ages 12-15Onset of Serious Assault CrimesClass Skipper 4.12 times as likelyMinor Truant (1-3 days) 4.03Moderate Truant (4-9 days) 6.84Chronic Truant (> 9 days) 12.15

Truancy and Drug UseOnset of Marijuana Use By Age 14

Class Skipper4.11 times as likelyMinor Truant (1-3 days) 7.17Moderate Truant (4-9 days) 12.37Chronic Truant (> 9 days) 16.08

Convene Stakeholders to Design A Community ResponseProvide Evaluation and Training and Technical Assistance to Programs Engaged in Supporting Attendance, Attachment, and AchievementEngage Law Enforcement Courts Schools Juvenile Services Social Services

Develop Public Policy & Funding Strategies

Data BackgroundThe following data are based on 595 students entered into an online database (TRAIN) from all 7 demonstration sites.

Except where noted, these data represent all intake data since the projects inception in 2000.

Gender

Chart1

0.491902834

0.508097166

Data 1

Ethnicity

FrequencyPercentValid PercentCumulative Percent

ValidAsian/Pacific Islander5410.909090909110.909090909110.9090909091

Black/African American8817.777777777817.777777777828.6868686869

Latino/Hispanic10821.818181818221.818181818250.5050505051

Native American40.80808080810.808080808151.3131313131

Other10020.20202020220.20202020271.5151515152

White/Caucasian14128.484848484828.4848484848100

Total495100100

This is just an example.

Needs headers and maybe

no legendmaybe labels in

the chart? What do you think?

Gender

PercentFrequencyPercentValid PercentCumulative Percent

ValidFemale49%24349.090909090949.090909090949.0909090909

Male51%25150.707070707150.707070707199.797979798

Unknown10.2020202020.202020202100

Total495100100

GradeCarolyn, Can you put these grades into a range? Beginning with 3rd grade and under?


Valid071.41414141411.41414141411.4141414141

110521.212121212121.212121212122.62626262633rd Grade & Under105

2326.46464646466.464646464637.97979797984th - 6th Grade72

3214.24242424244.242424242442.22222222227th - 9th Grade202

4122.42424242422.424242424244.646464646510th - 12th Grade44

5193.83838383843.838383838448.4848484848

6418.28282828288.282828282856.7676767677

75511.111111111111.111111111167.8787878788

85310.707070707110.707070707178.5858585859

99418.989898989918.989898989997.5757575758

10214.24242424244.242424242426.8686868687

11142.82828282832.828282828329.696969697

1291.81818181821.818181818231.5151515152

Unknown122.42424242422.4242424242100

Total495100100

AgeCarolyn, will you do a range on age too? Beginning with 7 and under?


Valid10153.03030303033.03030303033.0303030303

11295.85858585865.85858585868.88888888896 or Under93

12438.68686868698.686868686917.57575757587 to 977

135210.505050505110.505050505128.080808080810 to 1287

146012.121212121212.121212121240.20202020213 to 15156

15448.88888888898.888888888949.090909090916 and Over76

16428.48484848488.484848484857.5757575758

17306.06060606066.060606060663.6363636364

1840.80808080810.808080808164.4444444444

420.4040404040.40404040464.8484848485

5306.06060606066.060606060670.9090909091

66112.323232323212.323232323283.2323232323

7489.6969696979.69696969792.9292929293

8142.82828282832.828282828395.7575757576

9153.03030303033.030303030398.7878787879

Unknown61.21212121211.2121212121100

Total495100100

IEPIndividual Education Plan

PERCENTFrequencyPercentValid PercentCumulative Percent

ValidNo83%39178.989898989978.989898989978.9898989899

Yes17%8116.363636363616.3636363636100

Unknown234.64646464654.646464646583.6363636364

Total472495100100

Data 1

IEP

Data 2

Gender

Sheet3

Age

Grade

Ethnicity

Ethnicity

Carolyn, Lots of these have tons of missing data. I don't want the missing data included in the charts.

Anytime there is a blank cell next to "Valid" and then a number, that is missing data.

Add note in chart that refers to amount of missing data

Both Parents Living Together


Valid29158.787878787958.787878787958.7878787879

No73%14629.494949494929.494949494988.2828282828

Yes27%5310.707070707110.7070707071100

Unknown51.01010101011.010101010189.2929292929

Total199495100100

More than One Residence


Valid29258.989898989958.989898989958.9898989899

No90%16332.929292929332.929292929391.9191919192

Yes10%183.63636363643.6363636364100

Unknown224.44444444444.444444444496.3636363636

Total181495100100

Number of Adults in Home


Valid00%10.2020202020.20242914980.2024291498

138%18637.575757575837.651821862337.8542510121

246%22946.262626262646.356275303684.2105263158

311%5410.909090909110.931174089195.1417004049

44%193.83838383843.846153846298.987854251

50%20.4040404040.404858299699.3927125506

61%30.60606060610.6072874494100

Total49449499.797979798100

MissingSystem10.202020202

Total495100

Number of Other Children in Home


Valid010%489.6969696979.71659919039.7165991903

132%15731.717171717231.781376518241.4979757085

226%12725.656565656625.708502024367.2064777328

315%7515.151515151515.182186234882.3886639676

410%5010.10101010110.121457489992.5101214575

55%265.25252525255.263157894797.7732793522

61%61.21212121211.214574898898.987854251

71%40.80808080810.809716599299.7975708502

80%10.2020202020.2024291498100

Total49449499.797979798100


Total495100

Carolyn, Notice that there were no reports of 5 working adults in the home

Number of Working Adults in Home


Valid021%10120.40404040420.528455284620.5284552846

156%27455.353535353555.691056910676.2195121951

221%10120.40404040420.528455284696.7479674797

33%132.62626262632.642276422899.3902439024

40%20.4040404040.40650406599.7967479675

60%10.2020202020.2032520325100

Total49249299.3939393939100


Total495100

Enrollment Status


Valid28256.969696969756.969696969756.9696969697

Full time98%19038.383838383838.383838383895.3535353535

Not enrolled1%20.4040404040.40404040495.7575757576

Part time1%10.2020202020.20202020295.9595959596

Unknown204.04040404044.0404040404100

Total193495100100



MORE THAN ONE RESIDENCE

90%



Enrollment Status

Grade

Chart1

105

72

202

44

Data 1

Ethnicity


ValidAsian/Pacific Islander5410.909090909110.909090909110.9090909091

Black/African American8817.777777777817.777777777828.6868686869

Latino/Hispanic10821.818181818221.818181818250.5050505051

Native American40.80808080810.808080808151.3131313131

Other10020.20202020220.20202020271.5151515152

White/Caucasian14128.484848484828.4848484848100

Total495100100

This is just an example.

Needs headers and maybe

no legendmaybe labels in

the chart? What do you think?

Gender


ValidFemale49%24349.090909090949.090909090949.0909090909

Male51%25150.707070707150.707070707199.797979798

Unknown10.2020202020.202020202100

Total495100100

GradeCarolyn, Can you put these grades into a range? Beginning with 3rd grade and under?


Valid071.41414141411.41414141411.4141414141

110521.212121212121.212121212122.62626262633rd Grade & Under105

2326.46464646466.464646464637.97979797984th - 6th Grade72

3214.24242424244.242424242442.22222222227th - 9th Grade202

4122.42424242422.424242424244.646464646510th - 12th Grade44

5193.83838383843.838383838448.4848484848

6418.28282828288.282828282856.7676767677

75511.111111111111.111111111167.8787878788

85310.707070707110.707070707178.5858585859

99418.989898989918.989898989997.5757575758

10214.24242424244.242424242426.8686868687

11142.82828282832.828282828329.696969697

1291.81818181821.818181818231.5151515152

Unknown122.42424242422.4242424242100

Total495100100

AgeCarolyn, will you do a range on age too? Beginning with 7 and under?


Valid10153.03030303033.03030303033.0303030303

11295.85858585865.85858585868.88888888896 or Under93

12438.68686868698.686868686917.57575757587 to 977

135210.505050505110.505050505128.080808080810 to 1287

146012.121212121212.121212121240.20202020213 to 15156

15448.88888888898.888888888949.090909090916 and Over76

16428.48484848488.484848484857.5757575758

17306.06060606066.060606060663.6363636364

1840.80808080810.808080808164.4444444444

420.4040404040.40404040464.8484848485

5306.06060606066.060606060670.9090909091

66112.323232323212.323232323283.2323232323

7489.6969696979.69696969792.9292929293

8142.82828282832.828282828395.7575757576

9153.03030303033.030303030398.7878787879

Unknown61.21212121211.2121212121100

Total495100100

IEPIndividual Education Plan


ValidNo83%39178.989898989978.989898989978.9898989899

Yes17%8116.363636363616.3636363636100

Unknown234.64646464654.646464646583.6363636364

Total472495100100

Data 1

IEP

Data 2

Gender

Sheet3

Age

Grade

Ethnicity

Ethnicity

Carolyn, Lots of these have tons of missing data. I don't want the missing data included in the charts.

Anytime there is a blank cell next to "Valid" and then a number, that is missing data.

Add note in chart that refers to amount of missing data



Valid29158.787878787958.787878787958.7878787879

No73%14629.494949494929.494949494988.2828282828

Yes27%5310.707070707110.7070707071100

Unknown51.01010101011.010101010189.2929292929

Total199495100100

More than One Residence


Valid29258.989898989958.989898989958.9898989899

No90%16332.929292929332.929292929391.9191919192

Yes10%183.63636363643.6363636364100

Unknown224.44444444444.444444444496.3636363636

Total181495100100



Valid00%10.2020202020.20242914980.2024291498

138%18637.575757575837.651821862337.8542510121

246%22946.262626262646.356275303684.2105263158

311%5410.909090909110.931174089195.1417004049

44%193.83838383843.846153846298.987854251

50%20.4040404040.404858299699.3927125506

61%30.60606060610.6072874494100

Total49449499.797979798100


Total495100



Valid010%489.6969696979.71659919039.7165991903

132%15731.717171717231.781376518241.4979757085

226%12725.656565656625.708502024367.2064777328

315%7515.151515151515.182186234882.3886639676

410%5010.10101010110.121457489992.5101214575

55%265.25252525255.263157894797.7732793522

61%61.21212121211.214574898898.987854251

71%40.80808080810.809716599299.7975708502

80%10.2020202020.2024291498100

Total49449499.797979798100


Total495100

Carolyn, Notice that there were no reports of 5 working adults in the home



Valid021%10120.40404040420.528455284620.5284552846

156%27455.353535353555.691056910676.2195121951

221%10120.40404040420.528455284696.7479674797

33%132.62626262632.642276422899.3902439024

40%20.4040404040.40650406599.7967479675

60%10.2020202020.2032520325100

Total49249299.3939393939100


Total495100

Enrollment Status


Valid28256.969696969756.969696969756.9696969697

Full time98%19038.383838383838.383838383895.3535353535

Not enrolled1%20.4040404040.40404040495.7575757576

Part time1%10.2020202020.20202020295.9595959596

Unknown204.04040404044.0404040404100

Total193495100100



MORE THAN ONE RESIDENCE

90%



Enrollment Status

School Discipline ProblemsNote: 284 students had information filled out for this category.

Chart1

0.6936619718

0.0316901408

0.2746478873

69%No

3%Unknown

28%Yes

Sheet1

Discipline Problem?


Valid21142.626262626342.626262626342.6262626263

No69%19739.79797979839.79797979882.4242424242

Unknown3%91.81818181821.818181818284.2424242424

Yes27%7815.757575757615.7575757576100

Total284495100100

Sheet1

Discipline Problem?

Sheet2

Sheet3

Juvenile Justice Involvement

Chart1

0.7818181818

0.0666666667

0.1515151515

78%No

7% Unknown

15%Yes

Sheet1

Juvenile Justice System Involvement


ValidNo78%38778.181818181878.181818181878.1818181818

Unknown7%336.66666666676.666666666784.8484848485

Yes15%7515.151515151515.1515151515100

Total495100100

Incidents of Out of School Suspensions


Valid041684.040404040484.040404040484.0404040404

158%469.29292929299.292929292993.3333333333

219%153.03030303033.030303030396.3636363636

311%91.81818181821.818181818298.1818181818

44%30.60606060610.606060606198.7878787879

5 or more8%30.60606060610.606060606199.3939393939

610.2020202020.20202020299.595959596

1110.2020202020.20202020299.797979798

3010.2020202020.202020202100

Total79495100100

Incidents of In School Suspensions


Valid041784.242424242484.242424242484.2424242424

136%285.65656565665.656565656689.898989899

224%193.83838383843.838383838493.7373737374

314%112.22222222222.222222222295.9595959596

46%51.01010101011.010101010196.9696969697

5 or more19%20.4040404040.40404040497.3737373737

620.4040404040.40404040497.7777777778

740.80808080810.808080808198.5858585859

830.60606060610.606060606199.1919191919

1520.4040404040.40404040499.595959596

2020.4040404040.404040404100

Total78495100100

Sheet1

Incidents of out of school suspensions

Sheet2

Juvenile Justice System Involvement

Sheet3

Incidents of In School Suspensions

ImprovementsOf 520 update records, the greatest number of improvements were made in:Academic Achievement (135)Emotional Stability (116) Improving Peer Relationships (113) Family Relationship(111) / Family Stressor (108)

AttendanceSince the projects inception, the average excused absence rate dropped from 4.37 at intake to 3.55 at the first update for the population as a whole.The average unexcused absence rate dropped from 14.64 at intake to 7.40 at the first update.

Source: National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS). Incidents of Crime by Youth (10-17)School Year 04-05

Chart1

16341

968

During School Hours

Out of School Hours

# of Crimes

968

2005 Juvenile Crime by Precinct

Occurring between January 1-May 31, 2005 and August 15-December 31, 2005

During School Hours

M-F, 07:30 AM - 03:00 PM

Crimes ByCrimes Against

PrecinctAge 0-9Age 10-17UnknownDistinctAge 0-9Age 10-17UnknownDistinct

1116611

1123535389

1131313368

11455234

115282841014

116858521214

1213434246

12222225611

1231818347

12499166

125232310512

2111818279

2121131114117118

2131010516

2141515335

21544448888

221189111

22233314

22312211

231242411213

23219196510

233121233

234141466

3111111628

312111144

313556510

31477325

315121211

31655234

317717163036

31866112

32167671010

322141451116

323167112

32499257

325191931012

326848412324

33511

41115155812

41266134

4134545459

414393951619

421141444

42222

4238822

424161633

4311858582834

43226266813

433666611011

434171741619

43555156

43644122

451

5117744

5121495013233

51312122810

51466156

51511

5211010112

52222

523515111011

6111515167

61222358

6131313213

6141212167

615121233

6161272844

61710010011415

6184444

62188224

6221144

6232233

6241616211516

6252222

6261133

7592211

Uncoded11245

71634116401525632693


After School Hours

M-F, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM


Age 0-9Age 10-17UnknownDistinctAge 0-9Age 10-17UnknownDistinct

1113333

11244112

11333134

11411

1151010156

1161313245

12144134

12277369

123775912

12422145

12588718

21177155

2121414133

21344224

21433134

21533

22133246

22216644

22322

231666812

2323131245

2339933

23433123

3124422

31366145

3141414133

3154422

31611

3171313156

31833213

3216633

3221111189

32311112

32441522

325663911

3266644

4117766

41244112

413155167

4141515336

4214411

42211

42344111

42411

4312121413116

43299606

4336633

43411111212

4355544

43655256

45111

51122167

5121515358

51377235

514167145

52155235

52211

52313134610

6117722

61244123

6137733

61422235

61577

616111122

6178833

61822325

6214422

6227722

62322

6247777145

6252222

62611

7592211

35151517852401312


After School Hours

M-F, 3:00 PM - 10:30 PM



11155145

11266235

11344278

11422223

115212131215

1162222278

12188178

122191981522

1231282981319

124553710

12529298311

16511

211171721010

2122828188

21344347

21444246

2151177

22199279

222115151910

22333

231131381420

2325757256

2331414156

23444134

31133112

3125533

313161631012

3141818188

3155533

3163322

3171919279

31866437

321111155

322151541517

32344234

32451633

325111141316

326111166

411191921718

412177224

41311611751520

414303051015

4211414134

42266

42344122

4241133

4314040518122

432202011616

433101044

43412121313

435991111

43677379

45111

51144189

512242441014

513101051013

51411112268

5211212357

52211

523131359115

6111414145

61277256

61399426

61444235

615131311

616161622

617131344

61855347

62110102910

62299134

62388112

6241221222810

6256666

6265566

7594411

Uncoded3322

596829721514662590

Occurring between June 1, 2005 and August 14, 2005

Summer

All Days, All Hours



11199156

1121111367

11366167

11499256

115222281119

116122233912

12111112336

12260605914

12324245611

12433256

125136364912

21116166511

2129911213

21399224

214415268

2155511

2211910246

22212020123

2232211

23116166813

2323636257

2331313166

2343333

3111122

31233

31314146813

314191933

3152211

3161122

31788347

31855256

32177257

32211515436

32333133

324133156

3258841115

32611011167

33211

411343431316

4124242134

413424222

414494941518

42199112

4224411

4239933

42477166

431232361723

4324384071419

4332020347

434232366

43577145

4362929336

51188156

51217174912

513191931113

514199268

52133

5224411

52312125913

6119933

6121111355

6131212112

61488189

615191933

6161212224

6171616448

6181818213

621282827110

6223147310

6231311444

624220220189

62555551010

62615152828

75933245

Uncoded1111144

131315313241564151549

Notes:Counts of distinct offense incidents by occurrence date where any juvenile was a victim or offender.

Incidents could also have involved adult victims and offenders.

The same incident could have both juvenile victims and offenders, and a mix of ages.

Graphs

During school hours (M-F, 7:30 AM-3:00 PM)1634

Out of school hours (M-F, 3:00 PM - 10:30 PM)968

During school hours (M-F, 7:30 AM-3:00 PM)563

Out of school hours (M-F, 3:00 PM - 10:30 PM)466

Graphs

1

During School Hours

Out of School Hours

# of Crimes

Incidents of Crime by Youth

# of Crimes

Incidents of Crime Against Youth

Families said..Kids would stay in school ifSchools werent so bigSchools communicated with parents so they knew what was happeningStudent had an opportunity to make up work with some helpAlternatives were available

Students Tell UsKids skip school because:Classes are boring, topics arent relevantThey have no idea what is going on in class and no way to catch upThey feel disrespected by teachers or staffNo one seems to care if they attend or notNegative peer influencesThe environment is uncomfortableThey dont know there are choicesThey would rather be home sleeping

Students Tell UsKids would stay in school ifMore alternatives were availableClasses were more hands-onCould get support and help from teachersSchedules were flexible, later start timeTeachers were engaged in schoolThere was one person who cared about them

Levers for ChangeFederal No child Left Behind LawAttendance = School FundingHigh Stakes Achievement TestingTruancy Reduction Day time crimeTruancy Reduction Court Costs

State/County/Municipal PoliciesFile CHINS/PINSFile D&NWithhold TANFDaytime curfewSubpoena school records

School revenue based on average daily enrollmentInclude school truancy rates in report cardClaim revenues for students with truancy petition

Court Sanctioning PoliciesFine parents & studentsArrest parentsContempt citationsSuspend drivers licenseDetention Community serviceCourt ordered family or individual therapyCourt ordered tutoring or health servicesWaive fines with improved attendance

School PoliciesSchool F grading No Extra Curric. Act.Suspension/expulsionsEmploy truancy officers Grading on participation

Change Ed. PlacementAppeals processesConsistent attendance policy and practice known by all (students, parents, staff, community agencies)

Other Policy Change NeedsEnd out of school suspensions for being truantFinance Schools by average daily attendance not one day counts Document attendance and truancy by school & set goalsLess use by courts of detention for truancyRemove attendance as a factor in gradingStart secondary schools later in the dayProvide partial credit options for studentsConduct a push out policy audit of rules and practicesRaise compulsory attendance age to 18

1. I am from I am from many of houses, moving from place to place Where I have gained friends and lost friends From people who would say hello to people who would just walk by and not care about anything nor anyone I am from many of schools From Shelby Elementary to J.B. Elementary. From Meyzeek Middle to Western Middle. I have seen many of fights From little scathes to what seemed like blood baths I am from good grades to bad From As and Bs down to Cs and Ds

But never down to Us. From where people would give me money for my good grades and take money for the bad I am from all kinds of teachers From nice to evil. From some that cared and some that would tell me to just go sit Down and figure it out myself. From some that seemed like mothers and fathers. To some that seemed like the devil getting revenge I am from many of injuries From little cuts to dog bites that wouldnt stop bleeding

From my dad falling off ladders breaking arms, legs, and elbows. From little ows to screaming bloody murder. I am from overcoming adversity From where instead of staying home through hectic times I went to school From helping my parents get through things as well as myself. Also from letting things go and being strong about it. And that is where I am from.

2. Life I am from Louisville Formerly living in Newburg But now at St. Vincent Depaul My momma, my nephew, and me

I am from the 13th year of my life

When I have to be more responsible for myself Is when I have a lot of privilege for myself And that is when I have to think about my own things.

I am from a smart mouth Which often gets me in trouble

I got it by listening to my older brother, sister It is hard trying to change this habit

I am from my momma Who is making a lot of changes in her life Shes almost finished her GED And is a recovering addict which makes me proud She works at McDonalds and loves to drive

3. Where I am From I am from Louisville, I moved from the projects into a house. I was born in University of Louisville Hospital and my grandparents lived right down the street and I dont know where my father is, probably somewhere he dont need to be. I had everything when I was a baby. The only thing I didnt have was a father. What I used to do was make a mess but now I know better. What I used to wear when I was a baby was osh kosh b gosh and Tommy and Polo.

It was hard coming up as a child. I was out running wild and everybody didnt come to find me and put me in the house where I needed to be. The only person I think that really cared was my older sister and my mother because my sister was out running wild, and now she got one child and she always got to stay in the house with her child and the father is not there. I dont like how my family is now. We falling apart and now we need to start over again because our family is not going to go anywhere if we keep on going this way. I guess its where we are from.

*************No gender differences were apparent on discipline questions.*Given that these are all the most common challenges faced by students it is rewarding to see that so many improvements can be made in these areas.*Because the reporting dates vary across site and time of project, an average attendance rate is difficult to interpret, however, (read slide). We cannot do statistical testing because the appropriate tests should be done on a site breakdown rather than aggregate because of the differences in the time period in which sites reported averages.*Lets leave that for a minute and think about how truancy affect daytime juvenile crime These are incidents of crime most likely these are arrests but not necessarily not individual youth but the unit is incidentsNotice that the the number of incidents in Denver by youth age 10-17 is 1635 during the school hours, while during the same amount of time outside of school into the evening hours is only 968So 63% of the juvenile crime by youth between 7:30 and 10:30 is committed during school hours significant because kids are supposed to be in school 26% more incidents occur during school hours than during non-school hours. Quote from the parent

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truancy: research, policy & practices

Documents

likelyminor truant

chronic truant

moderate truant

suspended youth

expelled youth

youth corrections

truancy statisticscurrently

truancy rates