Attendance Court Fact Sheet
The Center is piloting a truancy prevention program that provides students and their families with services and other resources in a supportive, community setting in order to keep chronically absent students out of family court. Attendance court provides schools with a new tool to address chronic lateness and unexcused absences before they rise to the level where school officials must file a formal report alleging educational neglect. Initially piloted in New York State in Buffalo, the program aims to support students and their families in improving school attendance and to ease burdens on the juvenile justice system, family courts and child welfare authorities.
Background:
In fall 2007, the Center for Courts and the Community launched pilot programs to fight truancy in two New York City schools: P.S. 27 in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and Isaac Newton Middle School for Math and Science in East Harlem.
How it works:
The school conducts initial outreach by sending basic program information to families of students with attendance problems and offering them an opportunity to learn more about Attendance Court. Participation is voluntary; families may elect to participate or discontinue participation at any time. The program has developed the following recommended program referral criteria:
- A student has at least 3 consecutive unexcused absences in a month; or
- A student has at least 6 unexcused absences in a quarter; or
- A student has 10 or more unexcused late arrivals in two months.
The program features a flexible and comprehensive approach to identifying and serving the needs of the entire family. The program coordinator conducts a detailed assessment of every participating family, which is used to develop an individualized service plan. Plans typically include referrals for services such as counseling, tutoring, mentoring, parenting skills, and after-school programs. Attendance court staff work closely with participating families to follow through with referrals; monitor changes in attendance and school performance; conduct continuous outreach to community-based service providers; convene regular hearings to review achievements and setbacks; and to adapt service plans as necessary. A hearing officer (a justice system professional) presides at these hearings, which are held at the schools. Typically, the program coordinator, school administrators and families attend the hearings. Prior to each hearing, the program team, including the hearing officer, reviews each student’s progress in meeting goals and objectives.
The program also features periodic gatherings that bring together participating students and their families. At a mid-program gathering, judges from local community justice centers address students and their families. Program graduations are held at local courthouses. These sessions build a sense of community among program participants, commend students for their accomplishments in the program, acknowledge the important work of family members, and encourage further progress. |
