How does truancy vary from absenteeism?Explain

Introduction
Inadequate or unacceptable school attendance among learners leads to decreased performance and the learner develops a negative attitude towards education in general. Massive actions or strategies need to be established in order to confront the rising cases of truancy in the American society. The issue of truancy can be viewed from three main entities or participants namely; students, parents and the government. Truancy is also directly related to juvenile crime as young learners escape from what they consider mundane which is education. Strategies outlined by the relevant stakeholders and policy-makers have not been successful in attempting to rectify the problem of truancy as more students continue to drop out of school. Many negative school environments and the student’s attitude towards education in general are some factors that contribute to truancy issues. Truancy is mainly associated with the learner’s demographics, family conditions, parental care, personal factors and societal settings. The increase in cases of drug abuse among young people has risen as truancy escalates thus showing close relationships between school dropout and crime (White & Kelly, 2010). A core issue that triggers school absenteeism is the student’s perception of education in relation to its short-term and long-term benefits.
Statement of the Problem
Truancy is a both an individual and national problem as it affects a country’s progress on literacy levels. The issue of school absenteeism has been a major trigger due to the increase of crime in urban areas which contributes to youth engaging in criminal acts, drug abuse and associated misconduct. School absenteeism rates have increased as youth seek income generating activities which usually end in crime. The inevitable issue is that the learners are the

key determiners in their academic lives. The student makes decisions that shape his or her educational life (Dembo & Gulledge, 2009). The choice to attend school and skip classes is a critical action that a student chooses which greatly determines his or her academic journey. Various setbacks such as a poverty-stricken background and lack of adequate parental support have been identified as major triggers of truancy. The parents are also vital players who can either support a healthy academic life or encourage truancy by excluding themselves from this crucial area of life. Lack of favorable support from parents can make a student develop a negative attitude towards education. School absenteeism leads to poor results or the student’s total dismissal from school thus impacting the life of the learner’s overall future in society. Our policy-makers should be the central advocates in advancing academic excellence by encouraging learners to complete their studies through programs specifically geared towards this pertinent area.
Purpose of the Study
This study seeks to explore the causes of truancy and how this affects development in this country’s educational system. In particular, the study will explore how school absenteeism develops into school dropout and truancy. The study will also discuss how truancy leads to a rise in crime rates particularly in urban areas. It will also explore how truancy counter measures such as student counseling and government intervention have assisted in confronting this issue. This study will compare past and current truancy levels and give reasons for the observed rates of school dropout as a result of assistance or the lack thereof. Other areas to be discussed in the study will examine the role of government, parents, and the society in confronting this daunting
dilemma. Finally, the study will assess how society and parents can help students develop positive attitudes towards education thus reduce the issue of truancy.
Research Questions
How does truancy vary from absenteeism?
What are the factors that trigger truancy?
What are the role of the government and other academic stakeholders in tackling truancy?
To what extent can the learner be blamed for truancy?
How have intervention actions or measures helped in tackling the issue truancy in America?
Should parents and the society be blamed from the rise in truancy rates particularly in urban schools?

References
Cantillon, B., & Van Lancker, W. (2012). Solidarity and reciprocity in the social investment state: what can be learned from the case of Flemish school allowances and truancy? Journal of Social Policy, 41(04), 657-675.
Dembo R., & Gulledge L. (2009). Truancy Intervention Programs: Challenges and Innovations to Implementation. Crime Justice Policy Rev. 20(4), P. 437-456.
Flaherty, C. W., Sutphen, R. D., & Ely, G. E. (2012). Examining substance abuse in truant youths and their caregivers: Implications for truancy intervention. Children & Schools, cds 008.
Marvul, J. N. (2012). If You Build It, They Will Come A Successful Truancy Intervention Program in a Small High School. Urban Education, 47(1), 144-169.
White, S.W., & Kelly, F. D., (2010). The School Counselor’s Role in School Dropout Prevention, Journal of Counseling and Development; 88(2), pp. 227-235.