TWO’s Truancy Intervention program works with students from the following Chicago Public Schools to reduce student absenteeism:

• Betsy Ross Elementary
• Emmitt Till Elementary
• Fiske Elementary
• Dunbar Vocational High School
• Tilden Community Academy
• Hyde Park High School

 

Any student with 3 to 10 absences is referred to one of two truancy intervention case managers, who meet individually with the students, conduct home visits, conference with parents, work with school counselors and staff as needed and participate in adjudication when necessary.

The case managers attempt to gain a 360-perspective of each student’s challenges to understand the underlying reason for the absenteeism. Missing school is rarely about the student merely not wanting to go.  The case managers often go above and beyond the call of duty, securing bus passes, purchasing gym uniforms and looking for creative ways to overcome whatever obstacles are preventing a child from attending school.

In a typical year, between 500 and 600 students from 1st to 12th grade will be referred to TWO by their respective schools.   The efforts and strategy of our truancy intervention program has successfully reduced the absentee rate in area schools.  We have steered numerous students back on the right track to making the most of their educational opportunities.