Description
The meeting discussed the HEB ISD’s truancy prevention and student success initiatives. Key points included the district’s demographics and graduation rate. The truancy process involves warning letters, parent contacts, and administrative conferences, escalating to court referrals at 13 unexcused absences. Serving 22,837 students, the district uses the RaaWee K12 Attendance+ system tools for tracking and emphasizes timely interventions, community service, and character education programs to improve attendance and achievement.
Chronic Absenteeism & Truancy Interventions
The state-mandated truancy plan includes warning letters at three unexcused absences, parent contact, and student-administrator conferences. At six absences, a parent conference is held, and intervention programs are considered. Nine absences result in in-school suspension (ISS), and at thirteen, the truancy department may refer the case to court, prioritizing family support before legal action. This proactive approach aims to combat chronic absenteeism and ensure students remain engaged in their education.
Elementary students follow a similar process, with tardiness cases escalating from parent contact at five tardies to potential court filing at 30. The truancy department engages families through phone calls, home visits, and campus support to address chronic absenteeism early on.
Community Involvement in Attendance Awareness
Community involvement includes food drives, mobile pantries, and the TEAMS character education program. Retired professionals counsel at-risk families, and Hope Academy provides alternative learning environments.
Ongoing Support and Student Engagement
Best practices include a “hero board” to promote punctuality, door hangers for outreach, and rigorous documentation via RaaWee K12 Attendance+ system tools. The department monitors attendance trends, tracks sibling comparisons, and emphasizes swift intervention for better outcomes.
Regular follow-ups ensure effective chronic absenteeism prevention, keeping students engaged and in school.
About the Presenter
Xavier Warren, Truancy Officer, Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, TX.
Xavier Warren is a dedicated professional in the Truancy Department at Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District, focused on improving student attendance and fostering accountability. Committed to educational equity, he addresses barriers to truancy, ensuring all students have the chance to succeed.
Through proactive communication and targeted interventions, Xavier collaborates with families, teachers, and community stakeholders to develop effective strategies that promote regular attendance. His expertise in building relationships has positively impacted student engagement and academic success.
Additionally, Xavier serves as the current president and has served as past treasurer of the Texas Association of Truancy & Dropout Prevention (TATDP), committed to best practice networking with his fellow professionals.
