Children in America today lose over five million days of their education each year through truancy.

Does this sound familiar?

-Discovered your teen has stopped going to school?
-Realize your teen hasn’t been attending classes?
-Tell you the teachers are dumb?
-Say that school is stupid, they don’t need it?
-Does your teen tell you they are quitting school?

You’re not alone!

Often times they do this without the knowledge of their parents or school officials. In common usage the term typically refers to absences caused by students of their own free will, and usually does not refer to legitimate “excused” absences, such as ones related to a medical condition. It may also refer to students who attend school but do not go to classes.

Because of this confusion many schools have their own definitions, and as such the exact meaning of the term itself will differ from school to school and district to district. In order to avoid or diminish confusion, many schools explicitly define the term and their particular usage thereof in the school’s handbook of policies and procedures. In many instances truancy is the term referring to an absence associated with the most brazen student irresponsibility and results in the greatest consequences.

Many educators view truancy as something much more far reaching than the immediate consequence that missed schooling has on a student’s education. Truancy may indicate more deeply embedded problems with the student, the education they are receiving, or both.

Because of its traditional association with juvenile delinquency, truancy in some schools may result in an ineligibility to graduate or to receive credit for class attended, until the time lost to truancy is made up through a combination of detention, fines, or summer school.

Why is my teen refusing to attend school?

The reason a student misses school will for different depending on the age and circumstances of each student. Sometimes a student will skip school because they feel unsafe at school or on their way to or from school. Other students may miss school because of family issues, financial demands, substance abuse, or mental health problems.

Factors contributing to truancy commonly stem from three core areas: school, family and community. Innate student characteristics and their experiences within all these areas will have a heavy impact on truancy rates.

Bad Influences

One of the common causes of truancy and disruptive behavior in children is the influence of friends and peers. The teen’s natural instinct to want to be a part of a larger crowd or group dynamic will take over, even if they are taught better habits. Often times this same dynamic is prevalent in the face of any resistance the child may put forth, prompting teasing or goading the child into truanting.

School

What is classed as truancy can depend largely on the school’s attitude to the ‘truant’ or their problems. Relationships with teachers, seen as lacking respect/fairness, play a large factor in truancy rates among children. Often times this inability to get along with teachers and/or students will result in disciplinary problems which may lead to suspension, or expulsion.

Of course, being away from the school either voluntarily or at the school’s demand can have an adverse affect on the student’s academic performance, resulting in not being able to keep up with school work, getting poor grades, or even failing. A school may also be remiss in not notifying parents/guardians of absences.

Bullying and Cyberbullying

Closely related to the issue of a teen’s relationship with school is the matter of bullying. Bullying is a prime component (as well as cyberbullying) in the making of an unsafe school environment; if a teen does not feel safe at school, or on the way to/from school, they are much more likely to become truant.

Bullying occurs for many reasons and it goes beyond the one isolated instance of harassment either because of teachers’ inability to control, or problems arising from the child’s own personality or learning abilities. A parent might say they’re keeping their child off school because they’re being bullied. The school might call it truancy.

Personal Matters

Individual (personal) factors related to child truancy include: lack of self-esteem/social skills/confidence; poor peer relations; lack of academic ability; special needs; and lack of concentration/self-management skills. Professionals have identified that many chronically truant children had a job, had a family to support, or had trouble managing both school and work, thus forcing them to make a choice between personal life and school.

For sure when a child gets married, gets pregnant and/or becomes a parent the risk of truancy increases. Often times the risky behaviors are further instigated if the child develops or has already developed an alcohol or drug problem.

Also read:

5 Benefits of Boarding Schools for Troubled Teens.

How Bullying Effect Teenager Mental Health.

The post Why Is My Teen Refusing to Attend School? first appeared on Help Your Teens.

This has become a quite problem with parents around the country and extremely challenging. Some teenagers today, with the explosion of social media, believe they will become the next influencer that will make millions. Why do they need school?

Does your teen:

-Refuse to get out of bed?
-Say they do not need school?
-Go into a rage when you force them to go?
-Skip classes when they go to school?
-Fail when they are capable of passing?

“My teenager refuses to go to school, what can I do?” 

As a parent, it is normal to become extremely frustrated, worried, and even angry with this situation. Your teen is telling you how stupid school is — they will never use algebra; history is stupid or they hate their teachers.

Although most parents are upset and have feelings of anger, it’s important to stay calm to determine how to best address this issue. Lecturing, threatening, or yelling at your teenager about school attendance will likely create more anxiety and animosity.

3 Common Reason Teens Refuse to Go To School

Although there could be legitimate reasons, it is important to explore why your teen is avoiding school and how you can resolve this problem.

1. Mental health. Do you suspect your teen is struggling with depression, anxiety, stress or an emotional issue that could be preventing them from wanting to be in crowds or with others?

Like an adult battling depression or any mental disorder, interacting with peers and teachers, doing schoolwork, or participating in their extracurricular activities can be paralyzing to them. It is crucial you seek help either from the school counselor or a local adolescent therapist.

2. Bullying and cyberbullying. Today, cyberbullying is more prevalent than bullying since it’s far-reaching and the emotional impact can be extremely devastating. Sexting scandals are spreading throughout the country as teens quickly are becoming victims of inappropriate images they sent unknowingly that have spread online.

Whether your teen is a target of verbal bullying or cyberbullying, it can make it exceedingly difficult for them to attend class, let alone school in general.

3. Home life. Is there family conflict or stress in your home right now? Although we never intend it to impact the kids, unfortunately these situations — whether it’s an impending divorce or possibly a family member is seriously ill, can affect our children.

Family therapy (or possibly someone your teen respects) can sometimes help your teenager better understand that by them not going to school, is only adding more stress to an already stressful situation. Having an objective person mediate can be helpful.

In conclusion

These are some of the reasons that teens refuse to go to school, and a great place for parents to start in opening their conversations. Communicate calmly and sincerely, your expectations and help your teen work through any concerns one step at a time. Giving your teen the appropriate tools, support, and resources for overcoming the root of the problem, attending school should be expected.

When your teen recognizes you are being supportive and acknowledging their feelings, (without anger), they are more likely to succeed in school.

Is your teen still refusing to attend school? Remote learning is not working? Are they refusing therapy? Outpatient treatment has failed. You have considered other school settings (such as switching schools) – that didn’t work? Maybe had an evaluation in a short-term hospital stay that was unsuccessful?

It may be time to learn more about therapeutic boarding schools and why they work when home programs fail.

Also read:

5 Benefits of Boarding Schools for Troubled Teens.

How Behavior Modification Helps Troubled Teens.

 The Effects of Cyberbullying On Teenager Mental Health.

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Are you considering an educational therapeutic boarding school for your troubled teen? Contact us for a free consultation to learn more about quality boarding schools.

The post My Teen Refuses To Go To School first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Skipping classes due to anxiety can be looked at as a valid reason due to the disturbing and uncomforting thoughts and feelings that are associated with it.

Anxiety can often stop students from going to school and engaging with other students and school-related activities.

Some families tend to understand the discomfort that is associated with anxiety whereas some tend to blame the student for their lack of seriousness and responsibility.

Anxiety can often stop students from going to school and engaging with other students and school-related activities. Some families tend to understand the discomfort that is associated with anxiety whereas some tend to blame the student for their lack of seriousness and responsibility. School refusal and avoidance has become a concern for many young people.

Some physical symptoms of skipping class due to anxiety displayed by students are:

• Dizziness, headaches, nausea
• Vomiting, diarrhea
• Shaking or trembling
• Increased heart rate
• Chest pains
• Stomach pains

 Behavioral symptoms include:

• Explosive temperament
• Crying, sadness
• Anger or rage outbursts
• Threats to hurt themselves.

What are the causes of skipping classes due to anxiety?

Family environment: Stressful events or a dysfunctional family can cause teens to feel compelled to stay home. A teenager may refuse to leave a parent who is ill or who has a substance abuse problem.

Demanding school environment:  It is not uncommon for middle and high school students to become school refusers because they are afraid of violence either at school or on the way to school, afraid of failing academically, or have been repeatedly bullied or humiliated.

What are the ways to deal with school anxiety?

It is important for the students to deal with anxiety in an effective manner to avoid skipping school consistently.

Some techniques that one can adopt to manage this anxiety and get back to normal are:

-Talk about your feelings: The first and the most effective way is to convey how you are feeling to your family and friends and seek help when offered by them. This is only possible by shadowing the thoughts of being labelled as weak upon sharing one’s feelings.

Read – Tips on How to Talk to Your Teen.

-Stay away from the identifiable triggers: It is safe to say that anxiety is contagious in nature and more environmental and situation-driven, keeping distance from identifiable triggers can help in anxiety that results in skipping classes.

-Take a break: It’s important to understand that spending most of your time at school and meeting academic demands might disrupt an individual’s life balance. It’s necessary to take some time off from school or college work and indulge in pleasurable activities to restore a balance between classes and personal life.

Concentrate on the positives: Try to list out and concentrate on the positives of school or college and personal life.

Also read:

My Teen Refuses to Go To School

5 Benefits of Boarding Schools for Teens

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If your teen is struggling with school refusal, phobia, anxiety or any mental health issues that you have exhausted your local resources with trying to find help, contact us today to find out more about the benefits of residential treatment for teen help in getting your child back on the right track.

The post Teens Skipping Class Because of Anxiety first appeared on Help Your Teens.

The post My Teenager Refuses To Go To School first appeared on Help Your Teens.