By Theresa Armstrong

Reporter

tdunn@gcnnewsgazette.com

Grayson County High School has joined the Grayson County Middle School in implementing the Truancy Diversion Program (TDP) to help deter truancy in both schools.

Truancy, or unexcused absences from school, has become an epidemic problem throughout the state.

Lori East, the court designated worker for Grayson County, took the lead and brought the TDP to the middle school two years ago and helped to make attendance a priority. The program was so successful that the school board allowed the same program to be implemented into the high school this year.

“We are extremely pleased with the way the program worked in the middle school and look forward to extending it to the high school,” said East.

The TDP is designed to do exactly what the term means, help identify and assist students at risk of being charged with a truancy offense because of too many unexcused absences.

“In the two years since the middle school has implemented the program we have not had to file a complaint with the courts for a single child that is truant,” said East. “The workshop has taken care of the problem and we were able to help the children before we had to take it to the juvenile court.”

The program uses a team approach to help students develop good attendance habits and improve their overall educational experience.

In addition to adding the high school to our program,” said East, “we sent letters to the doctors and dentists in the area asking for their help to combat the truancy problem and even the Emergency room doctors are writing times on notes for school.”

The team is made up of judges, court designated workers, school counselors, principals, directors of pupil personnel and family resource officers.

“This seems to be a very effective tool, “said District Judge Shan Embry.  “We have had a great of amount success with this program helping families and letting them know about resources that are available and how to access those resources.”

This program, with the assistance of their parents and guardians, helps students develop strong attendance habits, which will help the student be successful in school.

“Left unchecked, truancy during the preteen and teenage years can have significant negative effects on the student, the school and society, “added Embry

Students with the highest truancy rates have the lowest academic achievement and truant youths are the most likely to drop out of school.

The financial impact of truancy can be seen in many ways: 30 percent of American students do not earn a high school diploma and according to the National Truancy Prevention Association the average annual income for a high school student who dropped out in 2005 was $17,299, compared to $26,933 for a high school graduate.

With all these problems identified, finding a solution has become a priority in Grayson County and the TDP is being used to help combat this issue.

The TDP team will hold a workshop with the parents and the students to review attendance records, behavior and grades, and develop a plan for success.

District Judge Shan Embry attends meetings to reinforce the work of the truancy diversion team and offers encouragement and recognition to participating students who are making progress.

The first workshop this year is scheduled for Tuesday,  September 30 and 45 families have been invited to attend.

“We sent the letter from the county attorney’s office hoping that the parents pay close attention to the need for them to attend the workshop,” said East.  “We are hoping all 45 families attend.’

If a family attends the workshop and truancy continues to be a problem the family is then asked to attend bi-weekly meetings to help keep the child out of the court system. 

“Once the family has attended the workshop it seems to have helped to solve problem, “ said Embry. “We are not seeing large groups of these students again.”