THE PRESENTATION WAS RECORDED AT THE FIFTH NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON JUVENILE JUSTICE AND EDITED FOR OPTIMAL LISTENING. THE CONFERENCE WAS SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JUVENILE AND FAMILY COURT JUDGES AND THE NATIONAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S ASSOCIATION. PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, CORRECTIONS OFFICIALS, EDUCATORS, RESEARCHERS, AND OTHERS. APPROPRIATE MEANS FOR DEALING WITH TRUANCY INCLUDE INFORMING PARENTS BY LETTER AND SETTING UP CONFERENCES WITH THE STUDENT AND PARENTS. STEPS TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM INCLUDE USING PROCEDURES WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION AND MORNING STUDY HALL, AND PROVIDING ASSISTANCE IN FINDING OUTSIDE COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR THE PARENT AND STUDENT. UNDER STANDARDS SUGGESTED BY THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, THE COURT IS A LAST RESORT IN SUCH CASES AND SHOULD HAVE NO COERCIVE POWER. THE NEW MICHIGAN JUVENILE JUSTICE CODE LISTS EIGHT STEPS REQUIRED OF SCHOOLS, INCLUDING MEETINGS, EDUCATIONAL COUNSELING, EVALUATION REGARDING LEARNING PROBLEMS, AND ASSISTANCE THROUGH OUTSIDE AGENCIES. THE SCHOOL CAN RESORT TO THE COURTS ONLY AFTER USING ALL THESE APPROACHES. POLICE ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ARREST STUDENTS FOUND IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT MAY RETURN THE STUDENT IF THE STUDENT COOPERATES. THE COURT IS AN INAPPROPRIATE ARENA IN WHICH TO DEAL WITH TRUANCY AND INCORRIGIBILITY. ITS AVAILABILITY CAN THWART THE USE OF MORE CONSTRUCTIVE APPROACHES. STATUS OFFENDERS ARE OFTEN INAPPROPRIATELY HANDLED BY THE COURTS; THE HOME SITUATION CAUSING A TRUANT'S PROBLEMS IS OFTEN NOT CONSIDERED. MOST SUSPENSIONS FROM SCHOOL DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENT OF PROTECTING OTHERS' RIGHTS TO AN EDUCATION. SUSPENSION POWERS ARE BEING WIDELY ABUSED, VIOLATE STUDENTS' RIGHTS, AND HAVE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS. ALTERNATIVES TO SUSPENSION MUST BE FOUND.