Talking to students in truancy court is an acquired skill. I learned a lot from watching Louisville Judge Joan Byer demonstrate her skill at this during a national truancy conference in Washington, D.C. a few years ago. Imitation is not only a form of flattery, it is a most efficient practice for a juvenile judge or anyone dealing with truants.

First, be compassionate and collaborative with the students. Remember, there is always an underlying reason for chronic truancy. Your job is not to punish but to excavate and find that underlying reason and put services in place to get the student back to school. This may take some digging from both the student and the parent(s). Don't accept, "I don't know". Ask again, or in another way. Patience, a sense of humor, and a little acting on your part will go a long way.

If the hearings are held in a courtroom packed with truant students and their families, as mine are, be mindful of subjects that might embarrass the student, such as too much detail about mental health, pregnancy, hygiene or financial problems. Bench conferences are fine for these matters.

Try to praise each student for something, whether it's the one “A” surrounded by four F's, the job at McDonalds or the negative drug screen. Encourage the student to bring in letters of improvement from teachers. Celebrate success, but never waiver from your position that school attendance is a must.

I've found the Ounce of Prevention's advice on Talking with Teens very helpful in truancy court. Remember, you have a big audience: not just the student at the podium but all the students waiting in back for their hearings. You can play to the whole courtroom and make it as entertaining but meaningful as possible, sticking to your message that school attendance is a must.

Judge Irene H. Sullivan, Sixth Judicial Circuit, Clearwater, Florida