NCJ Number
211497
Date Published
July 2005
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings on gender differences among truant youth and offers recommendations for improving school attendance and attachment.
Abstract
Truancy is considered one of the best indicators of later involvement with the juvenile justice system. The current study examined gender differences among truant youth in order to inform prevention and intervention practices. Data include information from the Truancy Reduction Application (TRAIN), a Web-based database that collects information online, and interviews with truancy professionals. TRAIN data were collected from truant youth at seven federally funded truancy prevention demonstration programs around the United States; data were collected at the beginning of the intervention and at 3 month increments until program completion. While the findings indicated few gender differences across the seven cites, the gender differences that did emerge could shape how truancy is dealt with in the future. Gender differences are outlined in terms of discipline, attendance, achievement, and behavior. Overall, both the TRAIN data and the interview data indicated that girls were more likely to be truant because of family obligations whereas boys were more likely to become truant when they had few friends or connections to school. Recommendations for improving school attendance and attachment are offered and center on academics, school engagement, family relationships, court practices, and delinquency prevention. Footnotes