TASC - Truancy Assessment and Service Center — 21st Judicial District Court

TRUANCY ASSESSMENT and SERVICE CENTER (TASC)

WHAT IS TASC?
Truancy Assessment and Service Center (TASC). The Louisiana Legislature began 2 pilot TASC programs in 1999.

PURPOSE:
TASC provides early identification and assessment of truants and the prompt delivery of coordinated interventions to prevent continued unauthorized school absences.

SHORT-TERM GOAL:

Improvement in academic achievement
Improvement in school attendance
Improvement in school behavior & conduct

LONG-TERM GOAL:

Decrease in school dropout rate
Decrease in juvenile delinquency
Decrease in substance abuse
Decrease in teen pregnancy

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAW:
The School Attendance Law (R.S. 17:221) requires that children ages 7 to 18 attend school with a minimal amount of unexcused absences. This law is in place to protect the rights of children to have the best advantage of educational opportunities available. The responsibility for attendance is that of the parent and/or guardian.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF TRUANCY:
Research shows a strong correlation between early truancy with continued school academic and behavioral problems, eventual school dropout, and delinquent behavior development. Teen pregnancy and adolescent substance abuse are also more likely to occur when children are unsuccessful in school. A truancy center is a tool that can be utilized to interrupt this cycle and reduce the negative effects of the truant behavior pattern.

WHY TASC IS EFFECTIVE?

Early Identification
Rapid assessment
Attention to family environmental factors
Targeted service response
Consistent and timely monitoring
Proper use of FINS process
Collaboration between school, family, law enforcement, court, and other community partners.

WHERE IS TASC TODAY?
11 sites serving 18 parishes
Currently serves more than 300 Louisiana public schools
Has received referrals for more than 200,000 at-risk students