Truancy Mediation is a process that helps parents/legal guardians, students, and schools find a realistic and fair solution to address students’ truancy problems.
What Does ‘Truancy’ Mean?
Truancy means the act or condition of being absent without permission (having too many unexcused absences). According to the NC Compulsory Attendance Law, students between the age of 7 & 16 (as well as those in grades Kindergarten & up) are required to attend school when school is in session. If a student accumulates 10 or more unexcused absences within a school year, parents/legal guardians could be legally charged for violating the law.
Why Mediation?
The truancy mediation program allows the school and parent/guardian to discuss and settle truancy issues without going to court. However, if the option of mediation is not chosen or if a solution is not reached, then the school/school system has the right to pursue legal action against the parent/guardian.
What is Truancy Mediation?
Truancy mediation consists of an informal meeting where the parent/guardian, social worker, and school administration come together with a mediator to discuss a child’s truancy record. The main focus of the mediation is for the family and school to reach a resolution concerning the child’s attendance record, and to avoid charges being filed against the parent/guardian. It is also about giving a clear understanding of the effects truancy has on a child’s education.
The Mediator is…
A neutral person who does NOT take sides or pass judgement. The mediator’s role is to make sure everyone is given an equal opportunity to speak, that all sides understand each other, and that the family and school work together to resolve the truancy issue.
Benefits of Truancy Mediation
- Free (No cost to parents or schools)
- Informal
- Confidential
- Meeting is led by a neutral (unbias) facilitator
- Improves communication between families and schools
- Allows families to be a part of the solution to a child’s attendance problem
- Proven to be effective
- Can prevent court proceedings