���The Truancy Tier Boot Camp for Beginners�April 11, 2024

Joshua Smith

Clarksville-Montgomery County School System

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/judge-warns-putnam-county-students-of-community-service-parental-jail-time-for-truancy

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Job Description

• Truant officers, who are also called attendance supervisors, truancy officers and superintendent’s designees ensure that students are attending school and intervene with students who have unexcused or excessive absences.
• Additionally, they may serve as liaisons between school officials, parents, DCS, support groups, law enforcement agencies and the court system. Other responsibilities could be determined by your district such as: data, zoning re-zoning, out of zone, out of county, out of state, ADM funding, custody policy and issues, discipline appeals, enrollment qualifications, court appearances, truancy review board, truancy intervention class, and a referral source for family help.

Could you answer these questions �if asked by a parent?

• What is the minimum amount of time a student must be in school in order to be present for the day?
• Suspensions count as unexcused absences when filing a truancy petition. Yes or No?
• In Tennessee, what is the definition of truancy?
• How many tardies/early dismissals does a student need in order to accumulate one unexcused absences?
• A truancy petition can be filed when students have excessive tardies and early dismissals. Yes or No?

What is Truancy?

• In Tennessee, a student is considered truant at five unexcused absences and may be subject to legal intervention. Each school system has the autonomy to determine what is an excused and unexcused absence.

Could you answer these questions �if asked by a parent? Part 2

• What is the minimum and maximum age in Tennessee in which the law requires a student to attend school?
• Can a student who is legally truant still get their drivers license?
• Can a student who is truant have their drivers license revoked?
• In your school system, can truant students may be denied participation in extra-curricular activities? (sports, prom, dances, clubs and etc.).

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Tier Process

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• State legislature updated Tennessee Code Annotated 49-6-3009 on July 1, 2018, to include Progressive Truancy Intervention Plans throughout all school districts within the state of Tennessee. This involves a 3-tiered approach. These tiers must not be punitive in nature (connect family to resources…..). The tiers are designed to help the child and family improve attendance.
• The 3-tiered process should be completed before a truancy petition is filed in juvenile court. However, if at any point a parent and/or student refuses to cooperate (at any tier), a petition should be filed for noncompliance.

Tier 1

Effective July 2021 (TCA Section 49-6-3009 amendment):

• The Progressive truancy plan must include school wide prevention-oriented supports one day one. So all students are in Tier 1, on day one.
• What are you/we doing BEFORE they miss school?
• What does this look like in this district?
• Literature sent home the 1^st day of school(nurse letter, covid flow chart & school letter) The attendance policy is on the website. Automated phone calls, social media platforms, mailings, postcards, student handbook, text, and emails etc…

Tier 2

• Tier 2: When a student accumulates five (5) days of unexcused absences, as specified in the LEA’s progressive truancy plan, and must include at a minimum: a conference between school officials, parent(s), and student to discuss the unexcused absences, address barriers, and sign an attendance contract. The contract must also include attendance expectations, the period the contract is in effect, next steps when additional absences occur, regularly scheduled follow-up meetings, and if necessary, referral of the child to services to address attendance problems.

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Tier 3

• Must be implemented if the truancy interventions under tier 2 are not successful. Tier 3 may consist of one (1) or more of the following: school-based community services; participation in school-based restorative justice program; referral to a school-based teen court; or Saturday or after school courses designed to improve attendance and behavior. In-school or out-of-school suspension must not be used as part of the progressive truancy intervention plans adopted by schools for unexcused absences from class or school.
• One contract for one family
• Tier 3 interventions available: TIC, Rise Up Academy, and a parenting class at the Learning Center

Truancy Intervention Class �for Parents

https://rise.articulate.com/share/gwvwVm4HIoQTgy-lWJAhYPXSL9kvJ

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A TIER III INTERVENTION PROGRAM

A TIER III INTERVENTION PROGRAM

Clarksville - Montgomery County School System

Clarksville, Tennessee

The Rise-Up Academy

is a Tier III Intervention Program that supports an administrative, educational and court ordered response to truancy and

low-level delinquency cases.

The Rise-Up Academy

Clarksville - Montgomery County School System

Clarksville, Tennessee

The Academy Experience

Clarksville - Montgomery County School System

Clarksville, Tennessee

• Non-punitive approach
• Developing relationships throughout the Journey
• Focus is on Student’s strengths - not weaknesses
• Focusing on Character Development – Why it matters
• Reconnecting to Education & Civic Responsibilities
• Celebrate Learning, Achievement & Graduation

Enrollment and Administration

Rise-Up Academy

Director

CMCSS Student Services

Attendance Teacher(s)

CMCSS Rise-Up Academy

Teachers/Cohort

Court Ordered

• Tier III Intervention
• Juvenile Delinquency Intervention

Principal Recommended

• Tier Intervention
• Delinquency Intervention

Feedback

Feedback

The academic centerpiece is the

Medal of Honor Foundation’s

Character Development Program

About the Academy

All High School Academy graduates earn ½ Academic Credit

Clarksville - Montgomery County School System

Clarksville, Tennessee

• Approved by the Tennessee Department of Education
• Adopted by 36 States & Tenn. as the Curriculum of Choice

Commitment

Courage

Citizenship

Sacrifice

Integrity

Patriotism

“Commitment Lesson ”

• Engagement with civic and community

Reinforce lesson and values

• Provides Experiential Learning

• Students perform meaningful Community Service

Morning Session

Afternoon Session

Classroom

Academics

External Civic

Engagement

Structured Reflection

Instructional Approach

• Provides Career Exploration

• Student-Center Approach

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• Student-led Environment

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• Journaling

Clarksville - Montgomery County School System

Clarksville, Tennessee

How to Bring the

MoH CDP to your District

• Request a Kit
• Attend a Seminar (The Foundation pays for a Substitute)
• Sponsor a Seminar (Full PD Day - no cost – free lunch)

https://themedalofhonor.com/character-development

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Noncompliance

When a student or parent is unwilling to cooperate in the truancy intervention plan, the attendance designee may report the student’s absences to the appropriate Judge pursuant to § 37-1-132, 37-1-168, and 37-1-169.

Things to consider before �filing a petition

• Does the student have an IEP? (Manifestation Mtg)
• How does your superintendent and/or judge feel about you filing on severe special needs children or health impaired students?
• What is the minimum number of unexcused absences your judges are willing to consider when filing a truancy petition? 5? 10? 15? 30? Is the standard the same; compliant vs noncompliant?
• Filing on 504 students? Do you have a policy for students with chronic health problems? 504 plan only addresses accommodations during the school day. CHVF: Chronic Health Verification Form
• Filing on students with early dismissals and tardy days?
• Family history, truancy history and etc….

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Documentation Prior to Court

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• Parents are notified by mail at 5 & 10 days, daily phone, email, text. Parent Square. Home visit. Before a petition is filed a parent could have been notified a minimum of 30 times (school & district level)!

The Court Process

• Petition is filed
• Summons is served
• Intake appointment
• A court date is scheduled
• Dispositional hearing (what could happen while there)

Could you answer these questions if asked by a parent?

FOR DISCUSSION

• How many absences does a student need to have in order to fail a class?
• Truancy petitions are not filed when students are passing all of their classes. True or false.
• Where do you find the attendance policy?
• What about once in a lifetime opportunity and excused absences?

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Questions ?

Please feel free to email

joshua.smith@cmcss.net

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