North Carolina Truancy Prevention Project Reduces Elementary School Absences By 10%

An Early Truancy Prevention Program (ETPP) implemented by five North Carolina elementary schools reduced the prevalence of chronic student absences by 10%. Chronic absence is defined as instances where a student misses at least 15 days of school. Moreover, teachers reported improved communication between parents and teachers and had a positive assessment of the effects of specific ETPP program elements. Chronic absence predicts such outcomes as poor grades, lower test scores, grade retention, disinterest in school, substance abuse, delinquency, expulsion and dropout potential.

These findings were reported in “A New Program To Prevent Primary School Absenteeism: Results Of A Pilot . . .