Citation

Pelletier A, Russell A. J. Juv. Justice 2015; 4(2): 123-133.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, In Public Domain (U.S. Department of Justice OJJDP), Publisher CSR)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Truancy is a problem in a majority of schools and communities throughout the United States. The challenge truancy presents results in several multi-layered issues, ranging from withdrawal from school to loss of school funding. Students who are absent from school on a regular basis are at higher risk of not completing their secondary education, having fewer job opportunities as adults, earning lower wages, relying on welfare, and being incarcerated. Because multiple negative consequences result from truancy, current interventions and policies can increase our understanding of ways to reduce and prevent this problem. This study integrated secondary data analysis provided by a truancy prevention and reduction program currently being implemented in a rapidly growing metropolitan area in the state of Texas. The goal of the study was to identify whether the investigated intervention is effective in alleviating the effects of truancy on students at risk.

RESULTS show that increased time with a case manager does improve outcomes for participants.

Annette Pelletier, School of Social Work, Texas State University; Amy Russell, School of Social Work, Texas State University. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Amy Russell, Texas State University School of Social Work, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666. E-mail: Ar41@txstate.edu

Keywords: youth courts, truancy, casework management, juvenile justice, schools, children, adolescents

Language: en