The Becca BillThe Becca BillW.E.R.A. Conference

Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007

Dr. Dale Alan McDaniel

Washington State University

and the Onalaska School District

W.E.R.A. Conference

Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007

Dr. Dale Alan McDaniel

Washington State University

and the Onalaska School District

The Becca BillThe Becca Bill

Introduction and A Story

Introduction and A Story

Significance of the Becca BillSignificance of the Becca Bill

ImplicationsImplications

The Becca BillThe Becca Bill

Which judicial programs have the greatest impact on changing student

attendance patterns?

Which judicial programs have the greatest impact on changing student

attendance patterns?

The Essential Questions

Becca BillBecca Bill

What type of relationship exists between courts, schools and families that best creates a successful environment for

students?

What type of relationship exists between courts, schools and families that best creates a successful environment for

students?

Becca BillBecca Bill

What does a good program look like to an ‘at-risk’ student that wants to come

back to school?

What does a good program look like to an ‘at-risk’ student that wants to come

back to school?

Becca BillBecca Bill

How do we design attendance programs that successfully return

truant students to school?

How do we design attendance programs that successfully return

truant students to school?

Evolution of the LawEvolution of the Law

•At-Risk Youth Petitions

•Street Kids

•Children In Need of Services (C.H.I.N.S.)

•Parents’ Coalition

The Becca

Bill•Social Workers and Legislative Pressure

•Old Truancy Law

•High Juvenile Crime Rate

•Poor Data Collection by Public Schools

Policy Formation-Egon GubaPolicy Formation-Egon Guba

Policy of Idea (Intention)

Policy of Idea (Intention)

Policy of Action

Policy of Experience

Recruiting IntervieweesRecruiting Interviewees

District/County Partnerships suggested by:Juvenile Rehabilitation AdministrationWashington Association of School AdministratorsWashington State School Directors’ Association

District/County Partnerships suggested by:Juvenile Rehabilitation AdministrationWashington Association of School AdministratorsWashington State School Directors’ Association

Selection CriteriaSelection Criteria

School SizeNumber of FilingsGeographic LocationAdministrative Approval

School SizeNumber of FilingsGeographic LocationAdministrative Approval

Data CollectionData Collection

29 Total Interviews- 84 Unduplicated Subjects

School Administrators

Legislators

Juvenile Court Employees

Parents

Students

29 Total Interviews- 84 Unduplicated Subjects

School Administrators

Legislators

Juvenile Court Employees

Parents

Students

Recruiting PartnershipsRecruiting Partnerships

Partnerships Chosen:Kelso S.D./ Cowlitz CountyVancouver S.D./Clark CountyNorth Thurston S.D./ Thurston County

Partnerships Chosen:Kelso S.D./ Cowlitz CountyVancouver S.D./Clark CountyNorth Thurston S.D./ Thurston County

Best PracticesBest Practices

Where .....

1. Truancy prevention was collaborative

2. Schools took the first step with parents.

3. Early intervention programs were available

4. Truancy boards existed, with authority

5. The possibility of detention existed.

Where .....

1. Truancy prevention was collaborative

2. Schools took the first step with parents.

3. Early intervention programs were available

4. Truancy boards existed, with authority

5. The possibility of detention existed.

Why Students Skip School(And How Becca Helps)

Why Students Skip School(And How Becca Helps)

FrustrationBoredomBeing BulliedNot known by teachersPerceived failure (credits)Organizational Problems

FrustrationBoredomBeing BulliedNot known by teachersPerceived failure (credits)Organizational Problems

ConclusionsConclusions

• Becca has become institutionalized• Becca has become institutionalized

• It still has funding problems

• It is perceived to be working

• It needs new people trained

• Flexibility matters!