Gary Marx

LASALLE, Ill. — The 12-year-old stood mute and motionless in his family's kitchen. It was noon on a Wednesday in late August, and once again Alejandro Frausto was not in...

Sometimes, Yajaira Rivera would storm out of school in frustration during the middle of the day. Other times, she was told to leave. And then there were the many days...

While the Chicago Public Schools lack a sustained and focused effort to combat elementary-level truancy, school districts across the state are finding ways to fight the problem and having success,...

While the Chicago Public Schools lack a sustained and focused effort to combat elementary-level truancy, school districts across the state are finding ways to fight the problem and having success,...

— Moving from Chicago's South Side to a public housing development in this city of 32,000 was a major culture shock for Keona Lee. For one thing, she never expected...

A Tribune investigation has found that nearly 32,000 Chicago students in public elementary schools — or roughly 1 in 8 — missed four weeks or more of class during the...