KEEPING KIDS IN SCHOOL - a Parent’s Guide to Truancy

A publication of the Boyd Co. Public Schools’ Pupil Personnel Office

The Legal Consequences of Truancy

The purpose of this information is to help parents understand their children’s legal obligation toward their own education and to provide clear information about the consequences of truant behavior.

The court has the authority to order a range of consequences for truancy: • A child or the child’s parents can be fined. • A child can be placed on probation. • A child can be ordered to undergo evaluation or treatment for chemical dependency. • A child can be ordered to attend a school chosen by the court. • A child can be ordered to undergo mental health evaluation. • A child can be ordered to perform work squad or community service. • A child can be put on house arrest, unable to leave home except to attend school or when

accompanied by a parent. • A child can be removed from the home and placed in a shelter, foster care, group home or

short-term residential facility. • A child can be placed in long-term residential treatment. • The court can impose any other activities or treatment programs that it deems

appropriate. • A child may lose driving privileges until he or she is 18 years old.

Student Services Coordinator, Brock Walter, is committed to working with parents, schools, community and the courts to keep kids in school and stop truant behavior before it starts. In the State of Kentucky, it is the law that all children attend school until the age of 21. Students who miss more than a combined total of 6 full or partial days of school are considered habitually truant and in violation of the state law on compulsory education. It is the responsibility of children ages 14 to 21 to make sure they attend school every day, every class. The law also requires that parents compel their children to attend school. All children deserve a solid education to prepare them for the challenges of today’s world. If a child is not in school, he or she will not learn. Young people who do not attend school and graduate from high school severely limit their opportunities in life. Truancy is also an early indicator of future criminal behavior. When young people stay in school, they are less likely to get into trouble.

It is not uncommon for parents to have questions about truancy. Many adults are unclear about the type of absences that are unexcused. The following are examples of lawful excuses for a child to miss school:

• illness • family emergency • funeral • religious holiday

The following are examples of absences that are not lawful:

• missing the bus • oversleeping • didn’t feel like going to school • sleepiness or boredom • staying home to baby sit

Each school determines what an acceptable excuse is. It is the responsibility of both the parent and child to know the school’s attendance policy. All schools welcome questions and encourage parents to contact them if they have questions about a particular type of absence.

The Response to Truant Behavior

State law requires schools to send written notice to parents when a child has been tardy or absent a total of three times. When this has occurred, school officials will likely request a meeting with the child’s parents or legal guardians to discuss the truant behavior and find a solution to the problem. At this time, the school must also choose to evaluate whether the child has any social, emotional or physical problems that are contributing to the truancy. If problems are identified, appropriate in-school services or a referral to a community agency may be offered. If truancy persists after parental notification, the school administration can make a referral to the Boyd County Attorney’s Office for appropriate legal action. In addition, the school must show that it has:

• sent a written notification of continuing truancy to the parents • held a meeting with the parents to discuss the issue, if possible • evaluated the child for social, emotional or physical problems that might be contributing

to the truancy and • attempted appropriate intervention.

Once a truancy case has arrived in the County Attorney’s office, staff will evaluate each child’s situation and decide the appropriate legal action. In most cases, Karen Gearheart, the CDW, can resolve the truancy by diversion – avoiding an actual court appearance.

Tips to Improve School Attendance

Make your child’s education a family priority.

Tell your child how important his/her education is to you. Insist that your child attends school and does their homework. Understand your child’s school attendance policy. Make sure your child obeys curfew laws and gets plenty of sleep at night. Buy your child an alarm clock. Tell your child that you love him/her and give him/her hugs on a regular basis. Do not enable your child by calling the school to cover for illegitimate absences. If your child does not want to attend, find out why. Talk to your child and listen for an

answer. If there is a problem, try to solve it together. If your child refuses to go to school, do not be afraid to ask for help. Talk to school staff

to find out if your child has a problem and what resources are available to you. Advocate for your child in the school system.

Contact Brock Walter or Cliff Salyers, Boyd Co. Public Schools for additional information or questions at:

606-928-4141

Call the County Attorney’s Office at: 606-739-4321

Call the Juvenile Officer at:

606-739-4228

Additional District Parent Resources Family Resource Centers

FRC-East located at:

Catlettsburg Elementary – 3348 Court Street, Catlettsburg, KY 606-739-4762 or 928-2330

FRC-West located at:

Summit Elementary – 830 State Route 716 Ashland, KY 41102

606-928-1435 or 928-7135

Youth Service Center located at: Boyd County High School – 12307 Midland Trail

Ashland, KY 41102 606-928-7105 or 928-7115