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 Alaska, truancy laws are established to ensure that children attend school regularly and to address issues of unexcused absences. Under Alaska Statute Section 14.30.010, every child between seven and 16 years of age must attend school. Parents are responsible for ensuring their child's attendance, and failure to do so may lead to intervention by the court system. Truancy matters are typically handled as civil cases, and the court's primary concern is the welfare of the child. The process may involve a petition filed with the court, and if the court finds a child to be in need of supervision due to truancy, various measures can be taken. These measures may include requiring the child to attend school, participate in community service, or attend counseling, and in some cases, parents may also face consequences for their child's truancy. The goal is to address the underlying issues causing truancy and to support the child's return to regular school attendance.