24 Hour Truancy Mediation Training Course

Pay now to save $100 off Course Cost (ends 12/31/25)

24-Hour Truancy Mediation Training Course

Presented by Kreider Mediation in partnership with Counted Present

The leading provider of state-recognized, practice-ready training for truancy mediation in Texas.

Why This Course?

In the 2022–2023 school year, over 936,000 Texas students were chronically absent. Senate Bill 991 mandates early intervention like mediation. This course trains professionals to help students and families resolve the causes of absenteeism before legal action is necessary. Texas Independent School Districts (ISD) must apply mediation as a Truancy Prevention Measure before referring a student to truancy court, per Education Code § 25.0915. As districts expand their prevention efforts, there is growing potential for ISDs to hire or contract with trained truancy mediators to meet this mandate.

Course Format

6 sessions, 4 hours each – 100% online via Zoom

Live case studies, mock mediations, expert-led discussions

Eligible for CLE credit in Texas under the ADR Statute

What You’ll Learn

Texas Truancy Laws & Policy: Understand the Texas Compulsory Attendance Law, Senate Bill 991, and the Education Code requirements for Truancy Prevention Measures (TPMs).
Behavior Improvement Plans (BIPs): Learn how to draft and implement effective BIPs that address root causes of absenteeism while meeting statutory requirements.
Confidentiality & Ethics: Apply FERPA standards, mediator ethics, and confidentiality guidelines in school-based and youth-focused cases.
Root Causes of Absenteeism: Identify common factors—such as poverty, bullying, trauma, and family obligations—and develop mediation strategies to address them.
Truancy Mediation Skills: Gain hands-on practice conducting truancy mediations, from intake and opening statements through to agreements.
Cultural Competency & Safety: Build awareness of cultural considerations in working with diverse families and apply mediator safety protocols in both virtual and in-person sessions.

Who Should Enroll?

Mediators looking to specialize in youth matters

School counselors and truancy officers

Attorneys, juvenile case managers, and education professionals

Anyone interested in keeping kids in school

Course Instructors

Judge John W. Bull (Ret.)

Instructor – Truancy Mediation Course
San Antonio, TX

John W. Bull served as the Presiding Judge of the San Antonio Municipal Court from 2004 to 2020, where he led one of the largest municipal court systems in Texas. During his tenure, he helped design and implement the Uniform Truancy Process for Bexar County, a nationally recognized initiative that integrated education, community-based support, and legal intervention to reduce youth truancy. He has overseen more than 1,000 truancy hearings and was instrumental in transitioning the court system from punitive models to preventative mediation and behavioral support frameworks.

Judge Bull is a seasoned educator, having served for 20 years as an Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at St. Mary’s University School of Law. He is also a graduate of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College and has been featured on Dateline NBC for his innovative approach to legal education and trial advocacy.

He is a recipient of the Bexar County Hidalgo Award, the State Bar of Texas Outstanding Jurist Award, and the St. Mary’s Amicus Award for legal and community leadership.

Judge Bull continues to mentor young professionals and contributes to mediation education as a core instructor for Kreider Mediation’s specialty programs in youth, school, and truancy-focused ADR.

Victor Vinton

Instructor – Truancy Mediation Course
San Antonio, TX

Victor Vinton has served Texas schools for over 30 Years in nearly every capacity, from teacher and coach to principal and eventually Assistant Superintendent of Pearsall ISD. He went on to serve as the Juvenile Case Manager Administrator for the City of San Antonio, where he managed a team of 40+ case managers across 16 school districts. His work was central to the implementation of the Uniform Truancy Process—a groundbreaking model aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism by addressing root causes.

Victor’s deep understanding of school operations, juvenile engagement, and educational barriers gives him unique insight into truancy prevention. His approach is rooted in compassionate accountability and restorative justice, making him an ideal instructor for this training. He continues to advise school districts and court systems across Texas on best practices for youth-focused mediation and diversion programming.