Early truancy evaluation: Replication of an evaluation using a regression discontinuity design

This study replicates the evaluation of an early truancy intervention using a Regression Discontinuity Design. The current study assesses the effectiveness of the intervention for three cohorts of students (N = 2760). Approximately half of the students for each year of the intervention received the high risk, intensive case management intervention, while the other half received a warning letter only. The truancy intervention proved to significantly reduce truancy among participants in the high-risk intervention among two of the three cohorts (p < 0.01), while truancy among control group participants remained at pre-intervention levels. Successful case closure was associated with a reduction in truancy (p < 001). Findings continue to support the efficacy of the intervention. However, the intervention should be replicated with more diverse population and in other geographic locations.