The Truancy of Teens: The Impacts of Absenteeism on Native Youth

San Felipe Pueblo

Valencia, Madison.¨Personal Photo¨ 13 January 2025

Fig. 1. San Felipe Pueblo. sfpueblo.com. 2022

Identity

Valencia, Madison. ¨Personal Photo¨ 30 Sep, 2024

¨Sharing One Skin: The Okanagan Community¨

By: Jeanette Armstrong

In "Sharing One Skin" by Jeanette Armstrong, she explores the interconnectedness and unity within the Okanagan people, emphasizing their shared identity and collective responsibility. Armstrong highlights how the community's strength stems from its cultural traditions, language, and deep connections to the land. The article highlights the significance of preserving these elements in maintaining the community's cohesion and resilience, portraying the Okanagan as a people bound together not just by geography but also by shared values and history.

Suina, Joe ¨And Then I went to School¨ New Mexico Journal of Reading,1985.

¨And Then I went to School: Memories of a Pueblo Childhood:

By: Joe Suina

In the article ¨ And Then I went to School ¨ by Joe Suina, is a reflective piece that the author recounts's early experiences growing up in a pueblo community and attending school. Suina shares personal memories that highlight the cultural challenges and adjustments he faced, the demands of formal education. The article sheds light on the importance of cultural identity and the impact of schooling on Native children's lives, offering a poignant perspective on the intersections of traditional and modern education.

Toastie, B ¨How place names impact the ways we see landscape.¨ High Country News Know The West, May 1, 2022

Valencia, Madison. ¨Personal Photo¨ 9 Sep 2024

Valencia, Madison. ¨ Personal Photo¨ 30 Sep 2024

¨How place names impact the way we see landscape¨

By: B.Toastie

In the article ¨How place names impact the way we see landscape¨ by B. Toastie discusses how the names we give to places influence our perception and interaction with the environment. It explains that place names carry cultural, historical, and social meanings that shape how communities relate to their surroundings. The article also explores how these names affect land use, conservation efforts, and the sense of identity tied to the landscape, showing that naming is a powerful tool in shaping both physical and cultural landscapes.

Armstrong, Jeanette. ¨ Sharing One Skin.¨ The Okanagan Community. 1996.

History

Little, Becky. “Who Invented Public School in America?” HISTORY, 10 Sept. 2025, www.history.com/articles/public-school-america-horace-mann.

¨The Education Reform Primer: The Origin of School Attendance Laws in The United States¨

By: Matthew R. Plain

The article discusses how laws requiring children to attend school originated in the United States. The very first state to pass a law like this was Massachusetts in 1852. This law said that children between the ages of 8 and 14 had to go to school for at least 12 weeks each year. There were some exceptions for example, if a child already got a good education somewhere else, was sick, or couldn’t go for other reasons. The law also said that parents could be punished if they didn’t make their children go to school. After Massachusetts passed this law, other states slowly made similar rules. By 1918, every state in the country had a school attendance law. People had different reasons for supporting these laws. Some wanted children to learn to read and write. Others wanted to help children from immigrant families fit into American society. Another big reason was to keep young kids out of work and in school. Today, school attendance laws still exist. They usually say how old children must be to attend school, how long they must be there, and sometimes require health checks like vaccines. They also allow for options like homeschooling or private school if a family chooses those instead of public school.

Jackie. “The Education Reform Primer: The Origin of School Attendance Laws in the United States.” Barton Gilman, 10 May 2021, bglaw.com/the-education-reform-primer-the-origin-of-school-attendance-laws-in-the-united-states.

¨LGBTQ+ Teens and Society ¨

By: Wendy Conquest

The article “LGBTQ+ Teens and Society” explains what it’s like for teens who are part of the LGBTQ+ community (meaning they might be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning their identity). It talks about how these teens grow up and interact with their families, schools, friends, and society. It discusses how LGBTQ+ teens are trying to understand who they are and how this can be both exciting and hard. Many teens may face pressure, bullying, or misunderstanding from people at school or in the community. This can make them feel stressed, anxious, or alone. LGBTQ+ teens may deal with more teasing or exclusion than other teens. The article also looks at how LGBTQ+ teens build relationships and friendships, and how they may explore dating and romantic feelings just like other teenagers. It explains the importance of acceptance — when friends, families, and teachers support them, it helps LGBTQ+ teens feel safer, happier, and more confident. Supportive adults and peers can make a big difference in their lives

Shibboleth Authentication Request. teenhealthandwellness-com.sfis.idm.oclc.org/article/508/4?search=truancy.

Lambert, Diana. “LGBTQ+ Students in Conservative Crosshairs.” EdSource, 1 Nov. 2023, edsource.org/2023/lgbtq-students-in-conservative-crosshairs/698052.

Esch, Camille, and Camille Esch. “Higher Ed’S Bermuda Triangle.” Washington Monthly, 5 Feb. 2024, washingtonmonthly.com/2009/08/20/higher-eds-bermuda-triangle.

¨The Weight of an Empty Chair¨

By : Susanna Space

The article “The Weight of an Empty Chair” talks about how school absenteeism (kids not attending school regularly) has become a big problem in New Mexico, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Many students are missing school so often that teachers and principals worry it’s hurting their learning. Some students don’t come because of things like broken cars, anxiety, health problems, or busy family situations. Others just refuse to go after being away from school during the pandemic. In New Mexico, about 40% of students miss 10% or more of school days, which is called chronic absenteeism. Some school districts have even higher rates. These numbers are some of the highest in the nation. The article explains that schools and the state government tried to fix this problem by passing a law called the Attendance for Success Act before the pandemic. This law was meant to help students attend school by giving support instead of just punishing them. But then COVID-19 forced schools to close, and attendance problems got worse. The article also shows how school leaders are trying creative ways to help families, like principals visiting homes and offering gas cards, but they don’t always have enough resources. Other challenges include transportation problems, a lack of school bus drivers, health issues, and mental health struggles.

Space, Susanna. “The Weight of an Empty Chair.” Searchlight New Mexico, 10 Apr. 2024, searchlightnm.org/the-weight-of-an-empty-chair.

Current State Of The Issue

Valencia, Madison. ¨Personal Photo¨ 26 Mar, 2025

¨It's Time To Reject Chronic Absenteeism as the New Normal in Students' Attendance¨

The article “It’s Time to Reject Chronic Absenteeism as the New Normal in Students’ Attendance” explains why missing a lot of school should not be accepted as normal. It says that many students are absent too often, which hurts their learning, grades, and future opportunities. The author explains that when students miss school, they fall behind in reading, math, and important social skills. The article also points out that schools, families, and communities need to work together to solve this problem by understanding why students are absent and offering support, not just punishment. Overall, the article argues that regular school attendance is important for student success and should be a top priority again.

Cohen, Liz. “It’S Time to Reject Chronic Absenteeism as the New Normal in Student Attendance.” The 74, 24 June 2025, www.the74million.org/article/its-time-to-reject-chronic-absenteeism-as-the-new-normal-in-student-attendance.

Valencia, Madison.¨Personal Photo¨ 11 May, 2025

¨How Schools Are Tackling Chronic Absenteeism¨

The article explains that many schools are trying new ways to help students get to class more often instead of just punishing them for missing school. Some schools make class schedules more flexible so students who work or have busy lives can still attend. They also try to help with basic needs like clothes and transportation so students feel comfortable coming to school. Schools use counselors, special small classes, and extra help for students who are behind or nervous about school. Teachers and staff work to make school fun, safe, and interesting so students want to come. Schools also reach out early to families and use data to find students who might be at risk of missing too many days, then offer support instead of waiting until it’s too late

Long, Cindy. How Schools Are Tackling Chronic Absenteeism | NEA. www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/how-schools-are-tackling-chronic-absenteeism.

Action Plan #1

Global Connections

Valencia, Madison. ¨Personal Photo¨ 24 Feb, 2026

¨Relationship of Classroom Behavior, Absenteeism, Truancy, Exclusion, and Academic Achievement: A Review in the Saudi Arabian Context¨

Haifaa J. Alabbad

The article ¨ Relationship of Classroom Behavior Absenteeism, Truancy, Exclusion, and Academic Achievement: A Review In the Saudi Arabian Context¨ examines how students´ behavior in class, their attendance patterns, and disciplinary actions like exclusion are interconnected and how these factors influence academic success in Saudi Arabia. It highlights that negative classroom behavior, frequent absences, and exclusion are linked to lower academic achievement. It also considers cultural and educational system factors unique to Saudi Arabia that affect these relationships.

Haiffa Alabbad et a1. ¨Relationship of Classroom Behavior, Absenteeism, Truancy, Exclusion, and Academic Achievement: A Review in the Saudi Arabian Context¨ International Journal for Scientific Research (2025)

¨School absenteeism among students in Germany, Japan, Sweden, and the United Kingdom: a comparative study using PISA data¨

In this article ¨ School absenteeism among students in Germany, Japan, Sweden, and the United Kingdom: A comparative study using PISA data¨ explores causes of students missing school in these four countries. It compares how different cultural, social, and educational factors influence absenteeism rates. The article highlights that while reasons for absenteeism vary, common factors include family issues, mental health, and school environment.

u. Fiedrikson et a1. ¨ School absenteeism among students in Germany, Japan, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.¨ Nordic Journal of Comparative and International Education (NJCIE) (2023)

Valencia, Madison. ¨Personal Photo¨ 15 Jan, 2026

¨School attendance and school absenteeism: A primer for the past, present, and theory of change for the future¨

In this article ¨ School attendance and school absenteeism: A primer for the past, present, and theory of change for the future¨ provides a comprehensive overview of how student attendance has been understood and addressed over time. It reviews historical patterns of absenteeism, explores current challenges, and introduces new theories aimed at improving attendance in the future. The article emphasizes the importance of considering multiple factors, such as family, school environment, and social influences, when tackling absenteeism.

Kearny, C., Benoit, L., Gonzales, C., & Keppens, G. (2022). ¨School attendance and school absenteeism: A primer for the past, present, and theory of change for the future¨

My Hero

Page updated

Report abuse