It is important to recognize truancy among high schoolers as they are the future leaders of our world. It is a struggle for students to get up for school, let alone guide the new generation. 

Truancy is commonly defined as “an (unexcused) absence without higher authority (school/parental consent).”  Wisconsin law states, “Students are required to stay in school until they graduate or until the end of the school term, quarter, or semester during which they turn 18 years of age, Wis. Stat. sec. 118.15(1)(a)” (Answers to Frequently Asked Compulsory School Attendance Questions). 

Many things can cause truancy, there is never one universal reason why students don’t want to attend school or their classes. However, after COVID-19 hit the countries, it disrupted the peace for many students, causing them to lose the routine they’ve always had. Many truancy cases at SPASH begin with the freedom students have. Mrs.Parkinson, who is a truancy interventionist at SPASH, has recognized that the change from the middle schools to SPASH has led the students to have temptations to be in lower commons. Many students think it’s easier not to go to class than to go. However, other students might not feel the same thing.

Schools are sometimes not good places for students to be. Many students may feel uneasy due to declines in different aspects of school. Many students lack dependent transportation, which causes them to miss school. Many students do not have the funds to pay for school lunches, or they do not have the right resources to get them through the school year. Ericka Weathers, an assistant professor at Penn State University Graduate School, states,

“Socioeconomic inequality among racial groups is usually suggested as an underlying explanation of differences in habitual truancy rates as more Black and Hispanic students disproportionately attend overcrowded schools in high-poverty and inner-city neighborhoods with fewer resources” (Weathers). 

Another cause of truancy is mental health. Teenagers are going through a lot of changes in their lives, and it can be hard to reach out to them. Nexus Teen Academy, which is a mental health retreatment center in Arizona, states, “Most teenagers who ditch class may have an underlying issue that they fear opening up to their parents about. Additionally, you need to set clear expectations and boundaries concerning school attendance” (“Understanding Teen Truancy: Causes, Effects, and Solutions”). Skipping school can cause isolation between adolescents as they are lacking the social environment. Teens are constantly growing; their brains are growing, and they may think skipping school is their first choice. 

Students should also know that truancy can cause a fallback on their credits. They might have to attend summer school or do extra credit on their own time. Mrs.Parkinson has recommended that students should focus on wanting to get their diploma and not make it harder for themselves. She has also stated that students should want to get their high school diploma and be able to walk across the stage at the end of the year. 

However, schools can be flexible in getting students their credits back and making them able to walk across the stage. Specifically, at SPASH, students will be called to talk to their counselor, Mrs.Parkinson, and possibly their parents. They can discuss the cause and how to overcome it. Many students can be put into Transition to Success (TTS), online classes, and the Charles Fernandez Center (CFC). Schools and administrations should pitch in as well. Many resources should be within students’ reach, making them not afraid to reach out. Once truancy starts, it doesn’t stop, and schools should feel compelled to reach out and make a change. Another quote from Nexus Teen Academy states,

“The school should be able to provide free counseling to such teens. Schools should offer counseling services. Additionally, schools should have mentorship programs that help teenagers understand the benefits of education” (“Understanding Teen Truancy: Causes, Effects, and Solutions”).

Although many people may think this is not a big issue compared to many others, it affects the way our world is going to evolve. With the enhancement of support, everyone can come together to use that support for students. Truancy can be a big problem if not solved or there is no effort within the administration. There can be more regulation involving truancy as truancy causes students to be lacking in different areas and not just intellectual. Everyone deserves to have a chance at school but at what cost?