ABC 40 KRHD-TV - Bryan/College Station News and Weather | Local Judge implementing program for truant students

BRAZOS COUNTY- A local judge started implementing a program in Brazos County two years ago to keep kids in class.

Now, he is finally seeing the numbers improve in student attendance at local schools.

Judge Tommy Munoz has a passion for keeping students on the right track at a young age.

"To have respect, do your homework, do what you need to do. I tell them schools have rules if you break them you have to come to court."Munoz said, "If your an adult and you break the law you go to jail."

Munoz works with the Bryan School District to help place students on the AimTruancy Solutions program.

"The truancy program not only serves as a tracking device, but more of a mentoring system." Judge Munoz said, "They have coaches, mentors that talk to the students."

Over 200 schools in Texas use this hand held device that wakes students up for school and constantly monitors where they are during the day.

"We listen to what's going on in their life and we start leading them to what is ultimately much more decisions, much better quality of life," AimTruancy CEO Travis Knox said, "but it all starts with education and education starts with getting to school on time."

Since the program started in Brazos County it has improved student attendance by 24 percent.

"I think it's been a huge success."Munoz said, "We've had a lot of students written letters and parents sending thank you notes."

Knox says the GPS device helps students get on the right path of accountability and gives at risk youth a chance to change their futures.

"They have choices, there is an environment, there's a much bigger picture and much bigger world and it's their choice."Travis Knox said, "We just have to help them sometimes get to that situation and really instill the hope."

Local schools have to file a case against the student to be able to qualify for the program.