Hillsborough County Public Schools Student Services and Federal Programs
Information Item

DATE: Tuesday, September 21, 2010
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Attendance/Truancy Reduction (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Initiative: Truancy is defined as any student less than 16 years of age that accumulates 15 unexcused absences within 90 days. Florida Statute 1003 mandates that each school district establish policies and programs to reduce truancy. School districts are encouraged to “contact, refer and enforce” mandatory school attendance. Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) has established several intervention programs that are designed to enforce Florida Statute 1003 and reduce the number of truant and non-attending students within Hillsborough County.

The truancy interventions begin at the school level, but may escalate and involve other community agencies and culminate with the involvement of the judicial system. The process begins when teachers notice a pattern of non-attendance and complete an attendance referral. Contact is then made with parents in an effort to improve attendance. If the efforts of the school are not successful in improving the attendance of the student, the Child Study Team (CST) may recommend that the student and parent be referred for more intense interventions. Interventions may include these: Children in Need of Services/Families in Need of Services (CINS/FINS), Attendance Review Board, Truancy Diversion, and Truancy Court. In extreme cases, a parent may also be charged in Criminal Court for failing to ensure that their children attend school. Additionally, in accordance with state statute, HCPS has maintained interagency agreements designed to reduce truancy

Goals:

  • To identify truant and non-attending students.
  • To work collaboratively with community agencies to enforce attendance laws and encourage attendance.
  • To work collaboratively with community agencies to provide for the needs of students exhibiting a pattern of non-attendance as well as the needs of their families.
  • To support student success in all academic environments.

    Targeted Population: All K-12 students under the age of 16.

    Staff Development: District staff and School Social Workers assigned to attendance are working together to identify areas of professional development for the improvement of attendance and reduction of truancy. District wide staff development courses are already available that relate to the interventions available to help non-attending students. Assistant Principals, School Social Workers, Dropout Prevention Specialists, and Student Intervention Specialists are trained at the beginning of each school year. Training is offered during school hours and no stipends are necessary. (continued on attachment)

  • ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

    * Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates

    FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: No)

    EVALUATION

    SUBMITTED BY: Mark Ackett, Supervisor of Attendance

    Gwendolyn L. Luney, Assistant Superintendent
    Student Services and Federal Programs
    (813) 272-4879
    Wynne A. Tye, Assistant Superintendent
    Curriculum and Instruction
    (813) 272-4221
    B 01
    Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20100921_426 * Section B Item# 01