{"id":5294,"date":"2009-08-20T10:22:46","date_gmt":"2009-08-20T14:22:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=5294"},"modified":"2019-07-19T15:39:07","modified_gmt":"2019-07-19T19:39:07","slug":"ucf-state-attorneys-office-identify-ways-to-reduce-truancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/ucf-state-attorneys-office-identify-ways-to-reduce-truancy\/","title":{"rendered":"UCF, State Attorney’s Office Identify Ways to Reduce Truancy"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new report from the University of Central Florida will guide local efforts to reduce truancy among elementary school children, who return to the classroom on Aug. 24.<\/p>\n

The report from UCF College of Health and Public Affairs researchers concluded that an Early Truancy Intervention Program, jointly run by the Orange-Osceola State Attorney’s Office and Orange County Public Schools, has been effective in reducing truancy in many public classrooms.<\/p>\n

The report also recommends adjustments that could enhance the program’s effectiveness. School resource officers now attend meetings with parents about children who habitually miss school. The report finds that if outside law enforcement officers attend those meetings, parents would be more likely to take action.<\/p>\n

Schools could improve attendance by more quickly placing children who are frequently absent and their parents in the Early Truancy Intervention Program, the report says.<\/p>\n

The researchers also suggest developing a more comprehensive system to help solve the issues that contribute to truancy with a team of case managers, counselors, school district and State Attorney’s Office representatives and families.<\/p>\n