For example, in the 1840s, Scotland established an inspector whose job it was to make certain that children were regularly attending school. The student was truant was viewed as being simply "out of place" (Paterson, 1989)
Studies regarding court cases for truancy based on gender found that boys were only slightly more likely to be sent to court for truancy than girls. Of the petitioned cases from 1990-1999 54% were boys and 46% were girls (Puzzanchera, 2003)
When the system failed, the answer was always the same better enforcement and stiffer punishment. Suggestions ranged from jail time to cutting off welfare benefits to the parents of truant children (Rabinovitz, 1996)
Several studies addressed this issue. It was found that the adolescent female offender is more likely to have been sexually or physically abused at some point, which was directly connected to the truancy (Rodney & Mupier, 2005)
A recent program involving Portuguese families sought to decrease problem behaviors, while increasing school attendance. This program, referred to as Alternative Paths (AP) sought to increase motivation for school attendance by focusing on integrating the students into the community and making them feel as if they are important (Sarmento, Almeida, & Rauktis et al
One of the key characteristics that made the program a success was early intervention and contact with the parents as soon as a problem is noticed. The school, student and parents worked on the problem together (Sheverbush, Smith, & DeGruson, 2000)
Until that time, research focused on the criminal/punishment aspects of the truancy issue. During the 1980s one begins to see a focus on early intervention and on identifying students that are at-risk for truancy issues (Sommer, 1985)
Counseling and in-school incentives are often the first line of defense when truancy goes beyond the extent allowed by law. One such example is Project Transition, which targets girls and boys in the Milwaukee Public school system (Sykes, 2003)
, 2008; Carney, & Nottis, 2008). Like the problem of truancy, bullying or anger related behavior often stem from other issues as well (Thomas & Smith, 2004)
Different portions of the brain process reward and punishment. The amygdala is the potion of the brain that is responsible for motivation and also the one that responds to reinforcement (Tye & Janak, 2006)
The Discovery Program represents a program that is designed to combat the underlying causes of truancy and delinquency. This program was found to be highly effective in reducing the truancy rates among program participants (Ventura & Miller, 2008)
It was found that children who had experienced suspension from school were likely to develop problems with their family, peers, and their feelings about themselves. The study concluded that child that had been suspended were more likely to experience high levels of family conflict, habitual alcohol abuse, low rank in their peer groups and social dissatisfaction with friends (Yen & Wang, 2009)
The GEAR UP program targeted high-risk students in urban areas. It concentrated on three primary goals, to improve academic performance, to decrease behavior problems, and to reduce truancy and absenteeism (Yampolskaya, Massey, & Greenbaum, 2006)
Truancy is defined as one of the top 10 educational problems in the United States. It is also considered a reliable predictor to other delinquent behavior (Zhang, Katsiyannis, & Barrett et al
And the second which is entitled: "Student Attendance: Research and Strategies" a publication of "The Principals Partnership" in the sate of Illinois, both of which relate to truancy in the state of Illinois. "Student Attendance: Research and Strategies" (Johnston, 2005) In this first case study under review, truancy in the state of Illinois is focused upon and the research is conducted with the primary objective of attempting to understand the reasons that students who do not attend school fail to attend
truancy is a good predictor that a student will become one of Illinois' 35,000 high school dropouts, and subsequently a drag on society." (Wheeler, 2002) Wheeler relates that when a student is charged with criminal activities and "becomes involved with the juvenile justice system
As with most behavior, the act is more complicated than a single cause. Research shows that "truancy is associated with family problems including abuse and neglect, physical and mental health disorders, financial difficulties" (Enea & Dafinoiu, 2009)
One of the problems not mentioned in the above research, but used as a variable in other places was the single parent factor. There is a link between a student living with only one parent and being a serial truant (Gump, 2004)
According to the same researchers as above "truancy is associated to emotional problems, substance abuse and a high rate of adolescent pregnancy (Enea & Dafinoiu, 2009). Research has added to this that "Individual aspects included: lack of self-esteem, social skills and confidence; poor peer-group relationships; lack of academic ability; special needs; lack of concentration and self-management skills" (Reid, 2010)
According to the same researchers as above "truancy is associated to emotional problems, substance abuse and a high rate of adolescent pregnancy (Enea & Dafinoiu, 2009). Research has added to this that "Individual aspects included: lack of self-esteem, social skills and confidence; poor peer-group relationships; lack of academic ability; special needs; lack of concentration and self-management skills" (Reid, 2010)