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 Missouri, truancy laws are established to ensure that children attend school regularly, as education is considered essential for a child's development. Under Missouri law, any child between the age of 7 and the compulsory attendance age for the district, which is generally 17 years old, must attend school. The state statutes that address truancy can be found in the Missouri Revised Statutes, specifically within the education code. When a student is truant, the school is required to intervene and may involve the juvenile justice system. The courts may then take action that is in the best interest of the child, which can include ordering the child to attend school, participate in alternative education programs, or undergo counseling. The focus is on remedying the situation rather than punitive measures. Parents or guardians may also be held accountable for their child's truancy and can face penalties such as fines or compulsory participation in educational programs. The procedures for addressing truancy emphasize rehabilitation and education, with the aim of improving school attendance and engagement.