MASON-LAKE ISD TRUANCY PROCEDURES
Truancy is a symptom of many causes, i.e. child abuse,
incest, neglect, delinquency, substance abuse, pregnancy, and others.
All districts and charter schools are encouraged to follow
the county-wide attendance protocol. Factors to be considered in making the
referral are: the age of the student, the frequency of the problem, indication
of severe underlying problems, or failure to resolve the problem at the local
school district level.
Local School District Procedure:
Before making a
referral, the local school district shall:
1. After 10
unverified absences - Determine the existence of an attendance problem.
2. Make the
family aware of the school policies and the Michigan Compulsory Attendance Law.
3. Make initial
contact with the parents/guardian and the child to discuss the problem.
4. The
appropriate school administrator and/or counselor will arrange a conference to
be attended by the official, the parents and the child. The format of the
conference should include (document for reference):
5. Discussion of
the problem in an attempt to find causal factors.
6. Review of
procedures to be followed in dealing with the problem.
7. Eliciting
cooperation of the family and having the parent initiate remedial action.
8. Referring the
student or family to an appropriate counseling resource if warranted.
9. Possible
counseling resources to be utilized by the school:
10. School
Counselor: Advisement of consequences, discussion and solution of
school-related problems, determination of need for intervention by other
services/agencies.
11. Assistant
Principal: Same as above.
12. School Social
Worker: On-going intervention aimed at resolving/presenting underlying problems
related to truancy.
13. School
Psychologist: Use of testing to: Determine the nature of problems, issue
recommendations, and facilitate changes in programs or placement.
14. I.E.P.C.
Meeting: When, and if, appropriate.
15. Referral to
appropriate outside community agency.
16. After the school has compiled with “C” above, had one personal contact with
the family and employed one, or more of the counseling resources detailed in “D”
without success, and the student has 5 additional unverified absences a second
letter via registered mail must be sent to the parent(s)/guardian(s).
17. The school must
meet again with the family to determine resolution and make aware that
additional
unverified absences are an automatic referral to the prosecutor.
18. Additional
unverified absences (16 and beyond) – referral to prosecutor. Be sure to
include copies of the Pre-referral Checklist and all required attachments.
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