Which of the following describes a habitual school offender?

A habitual school offender is best described as a child who does not follow school regulations. This definition encompasses a range of behaviors including repeated violations of school rules, which can disrupt the educational environment. Such behavior reflects a pattern of defiance or disregard for established guidelines, indicating a continuous challenge to authority within the school setting.

The other options, although related to juvenile behavior, do not specifically capture the essence of being a habitual school offender. For instance, a child who regularly runs away from home may be dealing with larger issues that fall outside of school-specific regulations. Similarly, a child who is frequently absent but has a valid excuse may not be engaging in any violations of school rules; their absence is justified. A child who engages in delinquent behavior may also be problematic but could be involved in actions outside of the school context, not exclusively tied to school regulations. Therefore, option B accurately identifies the repeated disregard for school rules, which is the hallmark of a habitual school offender.