April 27, 1998

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Truancy abatement: 1997 Assembly Bill 686

UPDATE
This bill was signed into law by the governor on June 3.

Background:

More and more of today's students want to complete their high school education but have extraordinary needs which can be addressed through alternative education programs and truancy abatement efforts.

In order for at-risk youth to be successful in school, they must first be present in class on a consistent basis. WEAC and the WFT support truancy abatement efforts along with alternative education opportunities as a way to complete a support network for at-risk youth in schools.

Legislative History:

WEAC supports 1997 Assembly Bill 686 as a means to curb truancy among students. Provisions in the bill update penalties for violations to the compulsory school attendance law, clarify the notification requirements for habitual truancy, enhance the penalties for contributing to truancy, and require school districts to create truancy planning committees and update school district truancy plans.

Assembly Bill 686 passed the Legislature during extraordinary session in 1998.

WEAC Position:

The Wisconsin Education Association Council supports legislation to strengthen truancy abatement efforts in Wisconsin’s public schools.

Talking Points:

• The number of habitual truants increased 14% in Wisconsin last year, according to the Department of Public Instruction. There were 57,550 habitual truants in 1996, an increase of 7,220 from the year before and 11,000 more than two years ago.
• The habitual truancy rate increased from 6% in 1994-95 to 6.8% in 1996. About 46% of the state's habitual truants — 26,472 — are in Milwaukee.
• A habitual truant is defined as a student who is absent from school without an acceptable excuse for all or part of 10 or more school days in a semester, or for all or part of five or more days out of 10 consecutive school days.
• Schools are the logical delivery sites for a multi disciplinary approach that addressed the unique education and public safety needs of high-risk youth. Locally developed truancy abatement plans and alternative education opportunities provide a continuum of options to keep students in school.

For Additional Information:

Contact Bob Burke in the WEAC Government Relations Division at 800-362- 8034 ext. 238 or by e-mail at burkeb@weac.org with any reactions, comments or questions.

Posted April 27, 1998