What steps should be taken to check the truancy in the class?

HOW TO GET STUDENTS TO ATTEND (never before shared secrets)

by Bill Rumley, Attendance Officer

I've been spit on, kicked in the groin, cursed at and sworn at. I've been threatened with the law, threatened with God, and threatened with my life. I was once attached with a 'ceremonial hatchet'. I've been rejected, ignored, hit and hit upon. I've been called the most vile of names, accused of being a racist and of being uncaring. I've knocked on doors until my hands were sore, I've stood frozen outside as clients hid in their homes.

My car has been ticketed, towed and smashed. It even drove away once, with no one in it.

I've traveled across town in hopes of finding a client. I've responded to telephone calls in the middle of the night and on the weekend. My calling card has been ripped up, thrown away, and as once client phoned to say: "she has put my card in the 'cat-shit' box!". I had a client who tried to have her dog 'attack me'.

I've removed kids from arcades, 'gang houses', and other hangouts. I've chased some for blocks, down back lanes, through parks and shopping malls. I had people come out of their houses or stop their cars and question me as to why I was picking up kids in the streets and putting them into my car (and I thank God that some people still care enough to ask).

I've worked with children of drunks and addicts, with the children of abusive parents, with the children of some the poorest and most down-trodden in our city. I've also worked with the children of loving and caring parents, and with the children of parents who were highly successful and influential in their communities.

I've asked some of the toughest, meanest looking people in neighborhoods to help locate a runaway teenager. And sometimes thanks to them, the runaway has returned home.

I never ask or expect of anyone else's child what I would not ask or expect of my own. I am driven by the thought of what I would hope someone would do if it were my child they were working with or looking for.

If there are any 'successes' along the way, (and one has to believe there were) it has to do with believing in the students and their families that we have the opportunity to work with. It's believing in a system that sometimes seems as badly bruised and dysfunctional as the very families that we are trying to help. It's enjoying one's work, finding meaning and purpose in it. It's in long-suffering perseverance, and having an attitude of never giving up.

A student must know that regardless of what has happened today, that they are still worthy enough to be wanted back tomorrow. Besides, they're expected to attend: Its the law!

(www.truantstop.com