Truancy Prevention Initiatives:

TIP in Elementary Schools and STARS in the Middle Schools

Non-attendance in school is a result of complex problems such as: academics failure, peer pressure, and family issues. Early intervention, use of problem solving teams, and linking home and school, research shows success in attendance, behavior and academics. To provide interventions to the younger students and their families, two School Court programs were formed; the "Truancy Intervention Program" (TIP) at the elementary school level and the "Students That Attend and Reach Success" (STARS) Program at the middle school level.

The goal of these two programs, TIP (Truancy Intervention Program) and STARS (Students That Attend Reach Success), are designed to stabilize the student's behavior, increase the elementary and middle school students' attendance and academics, while providing support services to the students and their families. Services for the students and the families are provided by school teams, consisting of: of School Social Worker and/or Counselor, Nurse, Administrator, Family Resource Coordinator, Youth Service Center Coordinator, Assistant District Attorney or District Judge, and an Associate Director of Pupil Personnel. The TIP Teams work directly with the parents and the STARS Teams work with the students and the parents; both teams provide services to the students and their families. The provided services consist of: counseling, tutoring, and monitoring students' attendance and progress. The students' teachers provide feedback to the intervention team concerning the behavior, attendance, and academics. At each bi-monthly meeting with the student's parent(s) and the student, the student's progress is evaluated, and monitored.

At the beginning of the school year, students and parents are targeted for the program. The targeted candidates are the parents whose children were Habitually Truant (Violation of KRS. 159.010) the previous school year and/or who have accumulated three or more unexcused absences in the fall of the present school year. The parents of these truant students are invited to an orientation at their school to learn about the School Court Programs. During orientation, the parents and the students learn about the Compulsory Attendance Law and how truancy affects the outcome of their child's entire educational process and future. These programs are optional.

• Perfection is not expected, but very good progress is required and if not made, participants are asked to leave the program.
• Goals are set for participants to complete each week.
• In addition to attendance, grades, and behavior are monitored and addressed at each meeting.
• A waiver of release giving Truancy Court Prevention personnel the right to share information about students with agencies (for services) will be signed by parents.
• A 24hour notice/ mediation contract, stating that parents will do all within their powers to ensure that their child/children will attend school on a regular and timely basis will be signed by the parents, ADPP (Associate Director of Pupil Personnel) and a representative of the school.
• A letter of invitation to join TIP will be sent from the office of the Fayette County Attorneys. A letter of invitation to join STARS is sent from the ADPP's office, in which the ADPP, Principal, and Fayette County Judge signs.
• If parents miss the initial meeting, a second letter will be sent warning them regarding the consequences if they violate the law, KRS 150.010. If they do not attend the second meeting, they are counted as declining the Truancy Prevention Program.
• If a parent declines the intervention program, their child/children are monitored for progress and a Criminal Complaint is filed on the parent if they violate the law.

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Last update: 8/16/2004 11:05:19 AM