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Moving Toward a New Model of Attendance and Truancy

Moving Toward a New Model of Attendance and Truancy. Presenter: Stacy Bender Minnesota Virtual High School sbender@mtcs.org. Why is Attendance Important?. Minnesota ’s Landscapes. MN’s Online Programs Landscape. Charter Schools Full-time (Diploma-bearing) online

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Moving Toward a New Model of Attendance and Truancy

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  1. Moving Toward a New Model of Attendance and Truancy Presenter: Stacy Bender Minnesota Virtual High School sbender@mtcs.org

  2. Why is Attendance Important?

  3. Minnesota’s Landscapes

  4. MN’s Online Programs Landscape • Charter Schools • Full-time (Diploma-bearing) online • Part-time (Supplemental) Programs • District Schools • Full-time (Diploma-bearing) online • Part-time (Supplemental) Programs • Use online in alternative learning settings for either of above as well • Consortia • Full-time (Diploma-bearing) online • Part-time (Supplemental) Programs • Use online in alternative learning settings for either of above as well

  5. MN’s Attendance/Truancy Landscape • Each county is responsible to carry out truancy statutes. • How many counties in MN? • 87 counties in MN • Some counties take a punitive approach • Fines • Loss of driver’s license • Some counties take a restorative approach • Interventions • Social worker • Whole family system view • Resources provided to family

  6. Model • 1350 students • 2 attendance coordinators • Track attendance based on progress increase • Send letters to students/parents • 2 truancy intervention program specialists • Connect with students to prevent truancy • Intervene at the first sign of truant behavior • 1 Dean of Students • File truancy • Attend court dates in person or by electronic means

  7. http://mnonlinetruancy.weebly.com

  8. County Attorney’s Perspective • Supports online schools • Expects online schools to provide a definition of day(s) of attendance in order to fit with Minnesota law • Prefers online school representative be present in court as needed Janet Reiter Chisago County

  9. County Attorney’s Perspective What challenges do counties face with online schools? Focus on students, needs, and interests Format of online allows for more one-on-one attention Monitoring of student engagement (time or attendance) is simplified. Laws need updating County staff and judges lack understanding of online procedure Diverse student needs; county/state funding continually reduced What is going well between MN counties and online schools?

  10. Student Story: Alex Not his actual name.

  11. Student Story: AliciaNot her actual name. • Student had difficult home life • Student had to help care for 4 younger siblings • Student was not successful at MVHS • MVHS filed truancy petition in county of residence • County discovered abusive family situation • Student and siblings were removed from home • Court ordered student into ALC setting • Student was allowed to return to MVHS • Student is now successful at MVHS and taken off of truancy case management

  12. Anyone from Ohio? October 8, 2007

  13. What is happening in your state?

  14. Where should we go from here?

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