The Importance Of Truancy In High School

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An issue that occurs often at in high school is truancy. Truancy is defined as a chronic pattern of unexcused absence from school. In the modern language it is usually referred to as skipping class. Truancy interferes with a student’s success in life. A study points out that students who skip more than 10 days of school are significantly (about 20%) less likely to get a high school diploma. And they’re 25% less likely to enrol in a higher education. (Carl, Azuz; CNN)
Unfortunately, skipping class has become a common thing in high school. However, by displaying truancy, students are showing signs of other related problems such as: bullying, peer pressure, abuse or neglect, violence, drug misuse, lack of self-esteem, safety concerns, anxiety
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His school of thought was humanism. The humanistic approach emphasizes the personal worth of an individual and the centrality of human values. Humanistic psychologists believe that an individual’s behaviour is connected to their inner feelings and self-concept. Maslow stated that people are motivated to achieve certain needs. When one need is fulfilled, then an individual seeks to fulfill the next one. His hierarchy of needs includes a five stage model pyramid which includes basic needs and growth needs. From lowest category to highest these include physiological needs, safety and security, love and social belonging, and self-esteem. After that, comes the highest level which is self-actualization. Maslow defines self-actualization, “It refers to the person’s desire for self-fulfillment, namely, to the tendency for him to become actualized in what he is potentially.” Basically, he is saying that when an individual can pursue his/her creativity and capabilities with happiness, one becomes …show more content…
Out of all the psychological theories available, Burrhus Skinner’s theory suits best to provide a solution in order to prevent students from falling into these problems. The method of operant conditioning can be used to motivate students to attend classes because the process includes rewarding. For example, teachers can create most improving attendance and good attendance certificates – not just perfect attendance. This will encourage truant students to try to aim at least for the good or most improving certificate. Another positive reinforcement could be to provide a little more free time for students. This will be a challenge for the teachers to aim to finish the work faster and provide more free time so truant students will enjoy being in the classroom

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