Truancy Prevention

Prior to a referral to the ROE #12 Truancy Program, ISBE recommends that at least three (3), and State Law requires at least two (2) intervention attempts by the school to address attendance issues. These should be documented since dates and intervention types are required on referral forms. Some examples of appropriate attendance interventions are as follows (not all-inclusive):

• Conversations/conferences with student and/or parent
• Phone calls home to discuss attendance
• Attendance concern letters
• School Staffing regarding student and attendance concerns
• Student meetings with counselor/school interventionist
• Home Visits
• Referral to social service agency
• Attendance incentives/contracts

FILL OUT THE: SCHOOL INTERVENTION REFERRAL FORM

Process and Procedure:

1. Student has not made adequate progress after minimum of 2 school Contacts/Interventions and has accumulated at least 3 full days of unexcused absences within the past 180 school attendance days.
2. School has fully completed the STEP 1 Referral Form (including required attendance forms and supportive documentation).
3. School will provide any and all supporting documentation needed (grades, discipline, etc.) to the ROE #12 Truancy Officer when requested.
4. ROE #12 sends out initial truancy referral notification to parent/guardian.
5. ROE #12 Truancy Officer/Interventionist will be assigned.
6. ROE #12 will send out truancy notice to parent/guardian setting up a meeting with the ROE #12 Truancy Officer and School Personnel (principal, attendance liaison, teacher(s), social worker, nurse, SRO, etc.) This meeting will be conducted at the site of the referring school.
7. Individualized Service plan and School Intervention/Attendance Contract will be signed by student and/or parent/legal guardian.
8. Social Services and other forms of interventions may be provided on a case-by-case basis.

FILL OUT THE: TRUANCY REVIEW BOARD (TRB) REFERRAL FORM

Process and Procedure:

1. Student has not made adequate progress after STEP 1 Referral/Interventions and has accumulated at least 9 full days of unexcused absences within the past 180 school attendance days.
2. School has fully completed and submitted STEP 2 Referral Form (with up-to-date attendance)
3. School will provide any and all supporting documentation needed (grades, discipline, etc.) to the ROE #12 Truancy Officer when requested.
4. ROE #12 Truancy Office will send out second truancy notice/summons to parent/guardian informing them they must attend the next scheduled Truancy Review Board Hearing that is scheduled within their county. (These hearings are pre-arranged on certain days of the month per county)
5. Truancy Review Board will take place within 30 days of referral being made to ROE #12 Truancy Office.
6. Notice will be provided to all Truancy Review Board Members with Time and Date of Hearing.
7. ROE #12 Truancy Officer will complete an Individualized Service Plan/Truancy Review Board Attendance agreement.
8. Once referred to the ROE #12 for Truancy Review Board a student should have appropriate medical documentation required to excuse future absences.

FILL OUT THE: TRUANCY CHARGES REFERRAL FORM

Process and Procedure for FILING OF CHARGES BY STATES ATTORNEY:

1. Student has not made adequate progress after STEP 1 and STEP 2 Referrals and has accumulated at least 9 full days of unexcused absences within the past 180 school attendance days.
2. Student has accumulated more unexcused absences since date of Truancy Review Board Hearing OR has failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the Truancy Review Board Agreement.
3. School has fully completed and submitted STEP 3 Referral Form.
4. School will provide any and all supporting documentation needed (grades, discipline, etc.) to the ROE #12 Truancy Officer when requested.
5. ROE #12 Truancy Office will contact County States Attorney’s Office.
6. ROE #12 Truancy Office will prepare formal Request to File Truancy Petition with States Attorney
7. State’s Attorney’s Office takes court action for neglect-related issue (on discretionary basis)
8. Each county court (and judge) determines their own criteria and approach for Truancy Petitions and they do vary from case-to-case and county-to-county.

*NOTE – Please know that just because a Request to File a Truancy Petition with the States Attorney has been submitted, does not mean the States Attorney will file charges against student/parent/legal guardian.