Helping Youth
EVERY DAY COUNTS
Working with parents is critical to the success of students. Students who cannot read on-level in 3rd grade are 4 times more likely to drop out than children who can.
TEEN TRUANCY & ATTENDANCE
School attendance is critical for teens. Teens who don’t attend school regularly don’t graduate, and teens who are high school dropouts face higher rates of poverty, under- employment and incarceration.
Everyday Counts
Every Day Counts: Truancy & Attendance
Why Is Working With Parents On Attendance So Important?
83% of students chronically absent in Kindergarten & 1st Grade are unable to read on-level by 3rd grade.
Students who cannot read on-level in 3rd grade are 4 TIMES more likely to drop out than those children who can.
In the 2016/2017 Parent Truancy Court, the following factors were found to underlie the issue of truancy:
- Lack of transportation
- Physical health issues
- Bullying
- Family dysfunction
- Ineffective parenting skills
- Financial issues
- Homelessness
- Mental health issues
Does Parent Truancy Court Work?
The DA’s Office has created a collaborative model bringing needed services to the students and their families, including case management through Lincoln Families, and help with health related issues through the award-winning HEAL Program (Health, Education and Learning for Life).
- 90% of students whose parents appeared in Truancy Court improve attendance.
- Since 2004, more than 1,000 parents have participated in Parent Truancy Courts.
Teen Truancy & Attendance
Teen Truancy & Attendance
School attendance is critical for teens. Teens who don’t attend school regularly don’t graduate, and teens who are high school dropouts face higher rates of poverty, under- employment and incarceration.
- By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
- A high school dropout will earn only 65% the amount of high school graduates, on average.
Addressing Absenteeism – Every Day Counts
The DA’s Truancy Mediation Program addresses habitually truant secondary school students.
Mediation is a collaborative process between the DA’s Office, the truant student, his/her parent/guardian, a probation representative and community-based organizations. It is designed to provide comprehensive support and monitoring of each student.
Does the DA Truancy Mediation Program work?
Over 1,000 teens have participated and the majority improve their school attendance, ensuring they have a better shot at life.
“I was skipping school but, since I started mediation, I got the help I needed to start going regularly. Now I’ve just been accepted to college.” — Former program student.