Tentative Schedule for Truancy Groups

I. Introduction & Trust Building
a) Name game
b) Role play- feelings of anger/embarrassment/frustration
c) Group rules-attendance, punctuality, participation

II. Cooperation within the Family and at School
a) Traffic jam
b) Tower building

III. Communication (parent/child & family/school)
a) Ideal parent-ideal child
b) Advocating for your child's education
c) Strategies in communicating with teachers and other school officials

IV. Importance of Education
a) Census data and money demonstration- life long earnings of people with different levels of education as opposed to high school drop-outs
b) School as a child's job
c) Step-by-Step Goal Setting

V. School Attendance
a) Family Rules and Contracts
b) Problem-solving (e.g., oversleeping, transportation, bus problems
c) Parental monitoring
c) Identifying and discussing family values

VI. Community Service for Youth (separate parent meeting)

VII. Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences
a) Becoming a team
b) Role playing (what attitudes should parents have; having a game plan)
c) George Dawson Presentation and Video

VIII. Creating a Home Environment for Learning
a) Set time for homework / free reading
b) Regular home space
c) Availability of parents
d) Reducing distractions (TV, noise of siblings, music)
e) Developing a schedule and organization that helps the learning environment

IX. Conflict-Resolution & Anger Control
a) Identifying triggers; exploring alternatives to aggressive behavior
b) Bus situations, classroom situations
c) Role play of effective conflict resolution strategies

X. GRADUATION!