Psychologist Dr. Christopher Kearny is a leading expert in the research and treatment of school refusal. He is world renowned and a Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Director of the UNLV Child School Refusal and Anxiety Disorders Clinic.
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Listen to leading school refusal expert Dr. Christopher Kearny
March 20, 2019 1 min read
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Truancy & Law
January 7, 2026
By Jayne Demsky
School-Based Intervention Teams, School Avoidance, School Refusal, and Truancy
When a child begins missing school consistently, families often hear a mix of terms—school avoidance, school refusal, and truancy. These words are sometimes used interchangeably, yet they describe very different realities. Understanding these distinctions is essential, not only for parents, but for schools tasked with responding appropriately.
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Truancy & Law
October 23, 2025
By Jayne Demsky
More Than a Tardy Slip: Georgia’s SB 123 Marks a Turning Point in School Attendance and Why School Avoidance Training Is the Missing Link
Georgia's new attendance law, SB 123, is here, and it's a major shift. No longer can schools expel students solely for absenteeism. Instead, the law, effective July 1, 2025, mandates a deeper look at the root causes of why students are missing school. This article explores why SB 123 is a critical opportunity, not a compliance burden. It's a chance to move from punishment to empathy. But to succeed, schools must address one critical, often-overlooked piece of the puzzle: "school avoidance." Disc
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Truancy & Law
June 4, 2025
By Daniel Levi
Navigating Texas Attendance Laws for Students with Disabilities and Health Needs
For Texas families of children with disabilities or chronic health needs, frequent school absences are often unavoidable. However, Texas law has strict rules about attendance, including the 90% attendance rule and truancy laws that may impact class credit and graduation. This guide explains those rules in depth and offers practical strategies for staying in compliance, protecting your child’s rights, and building strong partnerships with your child’s school.
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