89) the scale of post registration truancy escalated throughout the 1980’s. They cite a spot check was repeated on the same pupils. Their average attendance had declined to 61 per cent. Starting in 1985, Stoll and O’keefe headed a three year research project to identify the scale and causes of both blanket and post registration truancy. They concluded that post registration truancy is the most common type and it’s causes are “principally a curricular issue”. It is clear that various factors encourage truancy and that literature does not point a finger at one particular factor such as ‘social, psychological or institutional). What is important is finding strategies to help deal with truancy and there is clearly a need for changes in the family, school, or social situation in which the child lives to bring about better attendance. Various projects have been implemented by educationalists, social workers, the police, lawyers and other professionals to solve the truancy problem. Remedies used to combat truancy include Whole – school policies and intervention schemes, home – school partnership programs, truancy patrols and Care orders. Looking at the Whole – school policies and intervention schemes it is possible to suggest that studies by Jones (1983) and Gupta (1990) which focus on the improvement of school attendance demonstrate the effectiveness of a Whole – school policy. The strategies adopted include an evaluation of the curriculum, providing methods of building up positive self – image, improves interpersonal relationships and responsibility, encourages home – school partnership, providing an effective communication system, effective management of attendance, effective anti – bullying and special educational needs policies and professional development programs. The policies also tend to help those with ‘alternative needs’ who struggle to keep up...
