Abstract
Purpose. (1) The purpose of the study was to determine the structural elements of school-community truancy coalitions that contribute to a coalition meeting its objectives related to suppressing or preventing truancy, (2) describe the key individual or agency participants critical to a coalition's effectiveness, (3) determine the types of resources that move a coalition toward its objectives and the source of those resources, and (4) report the coalition activities that were perceived by participants to best prevent or suppress truancy. Methodology. The descriptive research was based on an eighteen-item questionnaire instrument developed by Kathleen Beard and modified by the researcher. Each of the questionnaire items were tabulated and analyzed using frequencies and relative frequencies expressed as percentages. Thirty coalition members participated in the study. Finding. Coalitions reported five critical factors related to truancy coalition effectiveness: (1) Collaboration/communication; (2) Participation of key leaders of member agencies; (3) Participation of law enforcement and related agencies; (4) Quality leadership; and (5) Applying the proactive, preventative strategies of educating the parents, schools and community or region about truancy, drugs, dropouts, crime, and mentors: increase the visibility and positive presence of truant officers, provide community services and train youth in any/all of these: self-esteem, drug abuse, gangs, and family survival strategies. Conclusions and recommendations. (1) Schools need to form coalitions with community agencies to prevent or suppress truancy; (2) Existing truancy coalitions need to focus on collaboration and communication within their group; (3) Existing and newly formed coalitions should include the members considered to be most critical by effective truancy coalitions: schools, law enforcement, probation and courts; (4) Existing and newly formed truancy coalitions need key leaders in their coalition; and (5) Existing and newly formed truancy coalitions should include preventative, proactive strategies.