Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Program aimed at tackling truancy gets is underway

Truancy

SAM MORRIS / LAS VEGAS SUN FILE

Clark County schools attendance officer Lee Schell asks students why they are headed home during the school day, June 19, 2010. A joint project of the school district and the Clark County Family Court is meant to help prevent and reduce youth crime and re-engage students in learning.

More than 120,000 students were reported truant in Clark County during the 2013-14 school year.

The Truancy Diversion Project is designed to decrease that number through a non-punitive, incentive-based approach to keeping at-risk kids in school. The collaborative effort between the Clark County School District and Clark County Family Court kicks off Monday with a meeting for judges, who participate on a volunteer basis.

The project brings a judge, family advocate and school representative together with students and their families to help the students improve their attendance and grades. The judge holds a truancy court session each week at selected schools and evaluates the student’s attendance records, teacher reports, grades and progress.

The designated family advocate then coordinates activities with the school for the student to improve their achievement. Based on the student’s success, they can receive various incentives like sponsored field trips, school supplies, gift certificates and snacks.

After 10 successful weeks, students celebrate with a graduation. Students are chosen for the project by school staff, and participation is voluntary.

Since the program’s inception in 2007, it has expanded from six to 50 schools in the district. The program is designed to help prevent and reduce youth crime, re-engage students in learning, and reduce potential costs on the welfare and justice system, according to Eighth Judicial District Court spokeswoman Mary Ann Price.

“The judges at Family Court see the unfortunate fallout from young people who skip school and eventually drop out,” Charles Hoskin, presiding Family Court judge, said in a news release. “The Truancy Diversion Program is one of the ways we at Family Court contribute to helping young people in our community succeed.”

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