A truant is a student who stays away from school without permission or an explanation. Truancy laws are designed to encourage school attendance by creating simple court procedures through which children are held accountable for excessive school absences. The courts focus on the best interest of the child when addressing the truant conduct of a child.

Truant conduct is usually prosecuted or addressed as a civil (noncriminal) matter, and the definition and procedures for dealing with truancy are usually located in a state's statutes—often in the family code or education code.

In Tennessee, truancy laws are established to ensure that children attend school regularly. According to Tennessee law, a student is considered truant after five unexcused absences from school. The state's statutes require schools to report truancy issues to the local education authorities, who then take steps to address the problem. This may involve meetings with parents or guardians, counseling, and other interventions aimed at improving attendance. If these measures fail, the case may be referred to juvenile court. In court, the focus is on the best interest of the child, with the goal of resolving the underlying issues causing truancy. The court may order various remedies, such as community service, counseling, or participation in a truancy intervention program. It's important to note that in Tennessee, parents can also be held accountable for their child's truancy and may face legal consequences, including fines and other penalties, if they fail to ensure their child's regular attendance at school.