More than 86,000 Texas teens have been sent to court for missing school since lawmakers’ 2015 reforms made truancy a civil matter, rather than criminal. A KXAN investigation found cases are escalating every year, with more than 12,000 this year. Meanwhile, no state agency is tracking whether the students are being helped or harmed.
In Georgetown, Texas, a 17-year-old named Nathaniel Karle was served papers for truant conduct after accumulating over 20 absences at Georgetown High School. This incident is a common occurrence in Texas, where thousands of students are referred to court for truancy every year. The number of cases has exceeded 12,000 this year, a near-record high, with some experts expressing concerns about the impact on students.
Since lawmakers changed truancy to a civil matter, there is no comprehensive tracking system in place to monitor the outcomes of these cases. The Texas Education Agency confirmed that it does not collect information on the orders judges are giving or how the cases are turning out. Without this data, it is challenging to evaluate the effectiveness of the truancy court system and make informed policy decisions.
Experts and advocates are worried about the underlying problems that lead to truancy, such as family issues, mental health concerns, or other challenges. Schools are often the first to refer students to court, but the lack of resources and funding can limit their ability to address truancy effectively. Additionally, there are concerns about the overuse of truancy court, especially in cases involving students with disabilities or special needs.
In response to these challenges, some school districts are revising their truancy procedures and implementing preventative measures to support students before resorting to court. However, the lack of consistent data and oversight across districts makes it difficult to assess the overall impact of truancy court on students.
While individual stories like Nathaniel’s highlight the potential for positive outcomes in truancy court, there is a need for a more comprehensive approach to address the root causes of truancy and support students effectively. By improving data collection, increasing resources, and implementing preventative measures, Texas can work towards a more equitable and supportive truancy system for all students.
