Issue Area
Truancy Reform
Truancy Reform
In 2013, Texas Appleseed joined our partners from the National Center for Youth Law and Disability Rights Texas to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice about truancy practices in Texas. Although the Texas Legislature passed a series of reforms in 2013 and 2015, the criminalization of poverty, through truancy and justice courts, continues in 2023. In partnership with several other organizations, we are examining truancy court proceedings across Texas and continuing our advocacy on this front.
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Key Statistics
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143
In the fall of 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, Duncanville ISD filed 65 truancy cases against parents and 143 truancy cases against students.
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19
In the fall of 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, Mesquite ISD filed 86 truancy cases against parents and 19 truancy cases against students.