Effective Truancy Reduction Programs: How Is Success Defined?

Abstract

This research examines how stakeholders involved with the Dallas County Truancy Court measure and define the success of truancy reduction programs. Previous studies have failed to include the perceptions of all of these major stakeholders. Judges, non-profit organizations, parents, and principals from the six districts serviced within the Dallas County Truancy Court were interviewed to assess how success was measured within truancy reduction programs. Findings indicated the measure of success among stakeholders was not consistent. This study identified the barriers associated with developing a uniform definition of success among multiple stakeholders in a decentralized arrangement.