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ESD 112 Truancy Project helps keep kids in school

It’s a typical morning, and 16-year old Danielle once again has slept through half of her school day.  When the letter arrived from the Juvenile Court telling Danielle and her mother that she was now in violation of the Washington state truancy law known as the “Becca Law,” and they could face fines of $25 day and possible detention, Danielle woke up.

Danielle was referred to the ESD 112 Truancy Project. The Truancy Project has run for a dozen years in Clark County (with financial support from the juvenile court and school districts), and is in its third year in Cowlitz County (with financial; support from the Juvenile Court, the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee and the Safe Schools/Healthy Communities project), and is the go-between with the 14 school districts in the two counties, and the Clark and Cowlitz Juvenile Courts.

Nearly 700 students a year, from first graders to seniors in high school, are referred for attendance issues by the school districts and the courts, to the staff members at the two Truancy Projects. Together, the student and the staff member (and family members if applicable) sit down to get to the root of the problem about why the student is missing school, and what steps can be taken to get the student back on track. This is in lieu of lengthy court process and possible detention.

It’s a simple idea that was championed by now-retired Clark County Juvenile Court Administrator Ernie Veach-White. “What good does it do to lock up a student for not going to school?” asks Veach-White. “We don’t need to put these students in detention to spend time with other youth that are in for serious crimes.  Plus, it’s an expensive solution when you look at what it costs the courts and the juvenile facility for a problem that isn’t going to be fixed by locking up a young person.”

The six Truancy staff members – three in each county, act as case managers for the students referred to the Truancy Project.  Their goal is to look at the issues and offer options and solutions for the student.

Danielle and her Truancy Specialist sat down and talked about everything from lifestyle and sleep habits to interest in school to long-term goals. After looking at some options, Danielle decided that she would be more successful in her district’s alternative high school. She has a more flexible schedule, still with a time structure, but tackles class work at her own pace. It took three months of effort on her part, along with encouragement from her Truancy Specialist and mother, but Danielle is now attending school on a regular basis and on her way to graduating.

For more information on the Clark and Cowlitz Truancy Projects, www.esd112.org/truancy.

Lori Williams, Deputy Director
Public Information Cooperative