THE GOAL OF THE GUIDELINES IS TO EXPEDITE THE HANDLING OF TRUANCY PROBLEMS IN A WAY THAT IS FAIR TO THE CHILD, THE PARENTS, AND THE COMMUNITY. THE PROCEDURES ARE BASED ON A PHILOSOPHY WHICH VIEWS EXPULSION AND SUSPENSION AS UNDESIRABLE, AND THE JUVENILE COURT ONLY AS A LAST RESORT. PREFERRED APPROACHES TO TRUANCY INCLUDE DETENTION BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL, LOSS OF MERIT POINTS, IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION, AND OTHER PROBLEM-SOLVING TECHNIQUES APPROPRIATE FOR THE CHILD'S AGE. IN HANDLING A TRUANCY CASE, THE SCHOOL HAS THE INITIAL RESPONSIBILITY. THIS INCLUDES CONTACTING TRUANT STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES VIA TELEPHONE, CORRESPONDENCE, CONFERENCES, OR HOME VISITATION; REFERRAL TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL SUCH AS THE TEACHER, PRINCIPAL OR OTHER ADMINISTRATOR, ATTENDANCE WORKER, COUNSELOR, OR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST; AND EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF ABSENCE OR TRUANCY PATTERNS. ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES INCLUDE EDUCATIONAL PLANNING CONFERENCES, REFERRAL TO THE CHILDREN'S SERVICES BOARD FOR POSSIBLE DIVERSION, AND FINAL REFERRAL TO THE CHILDREN'S SERVICES BOARD FOR POSSIBLE DIVERSION, AND FINAL REFERRAL TO THE JUVENILE COURT IN THE FORM OF A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE CHILD OR THE CHILD'S PARENT OR GUARDIAN. THREE APPENDIXES PRESENT COURT-CLEARING PROCEDURES, CHILDREN'S SERVICES BOARD PROCEDURES, AND FORMS USED IN HANDLING TRUANCY CASES. (CFW)