Procedures for Truancy Referrals

Harris County School District

Procedures for Truancy Referrals and After Action

Step One - An attendance referral is initiated by the School Counselor or the Principal to the HCSD Social Services Department.

Step Two – The Social Services Department will intervene through a variety of methods – to include: 

• School level meetings
• Telephone calls
• Certified letters
• Home visits
• Agency Referrals/Supports

When school level meetings are held, parents are provided with a copy of the Georgia Compulsory Attendance Law – O.C.G.A 20-2-690 with written acknowledgement of receipt.  

Step Three - If there is no progress/improvement in the student’s attendance after focused interventions, the parent/guardian will be referred to the appropriate court having jurisdiction in the attendance matter: the Harris County Magistrate Court or the Harris County Juvenile Court. The School Counselor, Principal, and/or other pertinent staff will be invited to attend the Attendance Concern Meeting. This meeting serves as a warning.

Step Four- If there is no progress/improvement with the student’s attendance after meeting with the court having jurisdiction over the attendance matter, the Social Services Department will make a formal referral/complaint to the court system and the parent may be arrested for failure to comply with the Georgia Compulsory Attendance Law O.C.G.A 20-2-690.

*Note: While the School Counselor is the person who makes the school referrals to Social Services, the Principal/designee should be made aware of all steps.