Truants and the Court: A Diversionary Program

California’s Targeted Truancy and Public Safety Program: Preliminary Outcomes Associated with Two School Districts’ Truancy Abatement Efforts

“…As an illustration, shoplifting arrests fell 60% in Van Nuys, California, when police conducted a three-week truancy sweep (Garry, 1996). In an experimental study of the effect of truants and their families who received information and/or services from probation officers, those who received services were less likely to return to court for truancy (Stewart & Ray, 1984). Yet, these truants were just as likely as control group truants to return to the court for other criminal offenses.…”

“…Yet, these truants were just as likely as control group truants to return to the court for other criminal offenses. Stewart and Ray (1984) hypothesize that the recidivism rates were just starting to fall after three years of the program and that more time was needed to effect rates of recidivism.…”