Children whose parents are actively involved with their school and teachers are less likely to experience attendance problems and are more likely to graduate. We need to demonstrate to our children that we are concerned about their education and take an active interest in the educational process.

Trouble at school is one of the main reasons students become truant. Common reasons for truancy include:

• friends who skip school
• money problems
• depression
• learning problems
• drug or alcohol use
• friendship difficulties
• fear of bullying or intimidation
• harassment
• violence
• language or cultural barriers.

Left unchecked, truancy can have strong negative effects on the lives of students. Truancy can block future opportunities and lead to drug use, daytime crime, and violence.

Families and schools can and should work together to find out what's happening with a student who is missing a lot of school. Together steps can be taken to help meet these challenges.

Strategies to Encourage School Attendance

• Let your children know that you value education. Insist that they go to school every day.
  
  
• Talk with children about school. Are they struggling with schoolwork, classmates, or other problems? Ask how you can help.
  
  
• Discuss concerns with your children's teachers. Ask them to help with a plan to help your children succeed.
  
  
• Does your child need a tutor or assessment for special services? Ask for referrals to community programs. Don't hesitate to use medical or counseling services.
  
  
• Get to know your children's friends and their families.They can influence school performance. Lack of friends or problems with classmates can also affect school performance.
  
  
• Help develop good study and work habits with a regular homework time.
  
  
• Develop a system of praise and rewards for good study habits, good grades, and other good school-related behaviors.
  
  
• Identify and seek treatment for any drug or alcohol issues that may prevent your child from focusing attention on school.
  
  
• Help your child develop and achieve academic goals.
  
  
• Develop a phone-in policy with the school to check on the child's daily attendance, or have the person in charge of school attendance alert you about non-attendance.
  
  
• Explain how dropouts have more trouble getting and keeping jobs and make half as much money than high school graduates.

Know and understand the school district's policy regarding absences, attendance, truancy and illnesses.

Source: Strengthening Families through Collaboration: School Attendance & Truancy, North Shore Collaborative.