South Dakota faces a growing challenge as its success rate for keeping truancy cases out of court reaches its lowest point in a decade, based on a recent annual report. The state’s struggle with truancy has been highlighted by the Juvenile Justice Reinvestment Oversight Council, formed in 2015 to address juvenile justice reforms and reduce the number of children in custody.
The council, comprising representatives from law enforcement, schools, the Legislature, social services, and the court system, plays a vital role in tracking South Dakota’s juvenile justice efforts. Despite a decline in delinquency petitions from 3,025 in 2014 to 2,489 in 2025, the state faces significant challenges with truancy diversion programs. These programs are designed to redirect chronically absent students and their families from the justice system by addressing the underlying causes of absenteeism.
Truancy diversion success rates in South Dakota have dropped dramatically, falling to 63% in fiscal year 2025 from a peak of 97% in 2021. This decline correlates with a 2021 law that made it easier for parents to choose alternative educational options, such as homeschooling, without strict requirements or accountability.
Greg Sattizahn
State Court Administrator Greg Sattizahn identified the complex nature of truancy, stating it can reflect “a lot of other things happening” in a child’s life, such as family breakdowns, abuse or neglect, criminal activity, or substance abuse. “A $100 fine as diversion is not going to address that meaningfully,” Sattizahn remarked, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions.
The number of truancy diversions plummeted from 694 in 2021 to 171 in 2025. This significant drop has raised concerns among state officials about the law’s ambiguities allowing parents to avoid truancy charges by enrolling their children in homeschooling without necessary accountability measures.
Mike Stevens R-Yankton
Rep. Mike Stevens, R-Yankton, has expressed concern over truancy, deeming it a “big area that we have to look at as a state.” He plans to propose legislation requiring families to declare their child’s educational status annually if chosen for homeschooling or other alternative instructions. “We don’t know where those kids are going to school. That’s a real issue,” Stevens stated.
Sen. Red Dawn Foster, D-Pine Ridge, aims to better understand truancy’s root causes, particularly how it ties into the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system. “As Native people, we understand what is happening in our community, and a lot of times we don’t have the resources or data to do something about it,” Foster said.
Red Dawn Foster D-Pine Ridge
The discussion around truancy diversions and juvenile justice reform is intensifying as South Dakota legislators plan to address broader issues, such as prison construction and rehabilitation reforms. Sen. Foster, who collaborates with the Boys and Girls Club in Pine Ridge, underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges with adequate resources and data to support effective community-based interventions.
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