ABSTRACT
Contrary to popular belief, truancy cuts across all student demographics. Truants live in rural and urban school districts and represent all races.
Students who do not come to school do not learn, miss critical instruction for understanding key concepts, and fall behind quickly in completing assignments. Good school attendance often correlates positively to good academic achievement. Students who are truant from school often drop out of school later. Dropping out limits students’ future alternatives, both in getting a higher education and getting a job. Coming to school every day, being on time, and completing daily school assignments are all job-related skills. Students who attend school regularly and complete their schoolwork on time are more prepared to be regular in their work attendance and more able to complete their work duties as adults. Research indicates that the greatest predictor of school success is children’s attendance in school.
