What does truancy refer to in juvenile law?

Truancy in juvenile law specifically refers to the situation where a student is absent from school without a valid excuse. This behavior raises concerns within the educational system and is often subject to state laws and school district policies designed to address absenteeism. When a student is considered truant, it typically means they have skipped school or have not attended class for an extended period without having legitimate reasons such as illness or family emergencies.

In contrast, voluntary withdrawal from school signifies a decision by the student or their guardians to leave the educational system entirely, while attending school intermittently indicates a pattern of irregular attendance that does not necessarily imply unexcused absences. Being expelled from school is a formal process typically due to serious behavioral issues, resulting in the student no longer being allowed to attend that school. Truancy focuses specifically on the unexcused nature of absences, which is a critical aspect of juvenile law as it can impact a young person's education and development.