Schools and districts can review and update local board-adopted attendance policies to include definitions of medical and nonmedical excuses, including a process and timeline for submitting medical excuses. You have a right to review your child's attendance records; The school's attendance coordinator's reports (if any) and the principal's reports; Your failure to get your child to school may be a civil violation and what the possible penalties are; Local law enforcement or Maine DHHS can be contacted; and. The court may also order the student to enroll in an alternate education course, a skill center or trade school . Borrowers with thin credit profiles that feature few credit accounts and little account diversity could also see their credit scores drop if student loans are canceled. Students, as well as their parents, may be required to come back weekly for status checks to make sure the student is doing everything he agreed to do. How to Get out of Truancy Charges. Although truancy is no longer a criminal offense, districts may still refer a student to truancy court. Estate Instead, the school principal decides if the student is truant. In many states, students who have more than a certain number of unexcused absences in a school year (often called "habitual truants") may be referred to the juvenile court and could end up in foster care or even juvenile detention if they keep skipping school. If you do not pay the fine after 28 days you may be prosecuted for your . What is the state doing to support attendance? How to Get out of Truancy Charges. Youll have a chance to argue that your child was absent for a legitimate reason. We had a very unfortunate case in nearby Berks County (the county directly north of mine) that put the spotlight on school truancy. A comprehensive whole child approach leads to better outcomes for students, including higher academic achievement, better attendance and a positive school experience. Members should include: The purpose of this committee is to understand why students drop out and make recommendations to the school board for how to address the problem. School staff aggravates him to the point he refuses to go! The requirements might extend to academic issues as well, such as agreeing to do all assignments on time. Truancy is what is known as a status offense, meaning it's an offense that is only a violation because of the juvenile's age and is not otherwise an offense if committed by an adult. What is the role of an absence intervention team? Be polite. Law, Intellectual Medical Parole for Individuals Sentenced to Life Without Parole (FY ACLU Files Complaint Against Bristol-Warren Schools for Egregious KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Recreational Marijuana in RI. There, the child and legal guardians have the right to dispute the truancy charges. But, if your child is a neurotypical, healthy, and normally developing child who skips school a lot, well, not sure what to say. 1232g, 34 CFR 99.30, FERPA Parental and/or Eligible Student Consent Disclosure Form, Review district attendance policies annually to ensure they align with policies and expectations, Clearly communicate attendance expectations, policies and procedures to the entire school community, Have consistent attendance procedures throughout the district, Engage in partnerships with community members, local businesses and local juvenile courts to provide services and supports to families, Use positive family and community engagement strategies, Provide information for English Learners and families in their home language, Incorporate attendance into the district or school, Establish early warning systems to identify students who are struggling with attendance, Create surveys for families and community members that determine and assess attendance barriers, Use multiple forms of personal communication for families, including phone calls, emails, staff notes and letters and social media accounts when sharing whole-school attendance reminders or reporting individual student absences, Include attendance data in teacher-based teams, PBIS teams, building leadership teams and district leadership teams, Provide access to food, health and supports for other basic needs, Regularly monitor attendance data to identify trends and address barriers, Notify parent or guardian of student absences, Use absenteeism data to identify students at-risk for reaching excessive attendance thresholds, Provide parent and guardian educational based programs, interventions and supports, Arrange conferences with families to identify attendance barriers and form solutions, Tailor interventions to physical and mental health supports, Provide academic and technical support to families and students, Develop and implement an absence intervention plan, Provide coordinated case management with multiple tiers supporting students and families, Connect to intervention programs available through juvenile authorities. Ask for a school refusal evaluation if you think one is necessary. Meet with the childs guidance counselor or team leader to discuss issues. And if the child does not have funds for an attorney, an attorney will be appointed to represent them. It is well known that truancy laws unfairly attack poor families and disabled kids. Make sure that you have read up on your schools truancy and attendance policies and that the school district has done its, See if an attorney will at least do a free consult. They can: require the student to attend makeup classes, put the student on juvenile court probation, declare the minor a ward of the court, 2 and; delay, suspend, or revoke a student's driving privileges. 260a.07: county attorney truancy mediation . The Department partners with several organizations to support schools and districts in decreasing chronic absenteeism. If that happens, you can be: No. What happens if a child misses too much school? After receiving notice, the child must attend school within 3 days. Bring your paperwork and documentation. At this second meeting, a new intervention plan can be made. Prior to March 2021, truancy used to have a minimum punishment of 2 days in jail, but that has since been repealed. Under the "compulsory education" laws in North Carolina, children between the ages of 7 and 16 must attend classes at a public, private, or home school until they graduate. school for a copy of your childs attendance records. Unlike in Truancy Court, they will be provided a court-appointed attorney in Family Court if they cannot afford one, Be informed by the court of the consequences of participating in the Truancy Court Program, Be provided with an interpreter for court appearances and translation of court documents, View any of the written reports submitted to the Truancy Court by the childs school. The term truancy refers to an unexcused absence at school. The team will decide: If the team decides there is a negative effect on your child, the team will make an "intervention plan." Juveniles who are truant face proceedings in juvenile courts. If you feel you are being unfairly targeted, investigate. expulsion. Membership of each absence intervention team should vary based on the needs of each individual student, but each team MUST include: The district may invite a school psychologist, counselor, social worker, representative of a public or nonprofit agency, or representative from the court to participate on the team. A medical appointment that must be made during the school day, Observing a recognized religious holiday when the observance is during school, A planned absence for a personal or educational purpose that has been approved by the school, Educational disruption caused by a student's homelessness, unplanned hospitalization, or placement in foster care or a youth development center, What caused your child's unexcused absences, What is the effect of the unexcused absences on your child, What will be the effect of more unexcused absences on your child, Frequent communication between teacher and family, Evaluation for learning in multiple pathways (career and technical education, alternative education, apprenticeships, online courses, adult education, career academies, AP courses,etc), Referral to other agencies for family services, Referral to the school's attendance coordinator, Referral to the school's student assistance team, Referral to the school's dropout prevention committee. The hearing might take place at the school before a magistrate or in court before a judge. Local board-adopted attendance policies should be updated to include definitions of medical and nonmedical excuses, including a process and timeline for submitting medical excuses Additionally, if your child has finished 6th grade and is not yet 17 years old, they are considered to be truant if they have 7 unexcused absences from school in a row, or 10 unexcused absences from school in one school year. Do students with excessive absences need submitted for a truancy complaint? These partners include: Using Ohios Whole Child Framework, schools and districts can directly impact their students attendance through tiered prevention and attendance supports. First, read all your school district policies and state codes on attendance. Be sure to give the school your child's doctor excuses. A state law in Washington, called the "Becca Bill," requires all children between ages 8 and 18 to attend school regularly. Yes, life happens. When a student meets the definition of habitually truant, the district is required to assign the student to an absence intervention team to develop a plan with the family. The content of these letters varies, but they will tell you who your schools truancy officer is and what to do. As in any legal proceeding, legal guardians have certain rights. Call your states. The same might happen if student loans are among the oldest accounts, Lynch said, because removing them would change the average age on all credit accounts. Your child has missed enough days in the school year to be truant. truancy programs and services. The definitions of medical and nonmedical excuses are within the discretion of the districts. You can also help by learning ways to support your child's school attendance. However, the intent of the law is that court referrals will be used as a last resort. This rule applies even if your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan. Satisfactory progress may not look the same for all students. So with all that in mind, here are some basics on truancy and what you can do to stay positive and not be fined or in jail. You may be summoned to appear in District Court if: Your child is "under your control" (i.e., lives with you); You received written notice from the school about your child's truancy and the plan that was developed to correct it; and; Your child has missed enough days in the school year to be truant. (author note: post originally written in 2015, updated recently), 2023 A Day In Our Shoes with Lisa Lightner, Understanding IDEA and Your Parental Rights, 8 Tips to Prevent and Get Out of Truancy Charges or Attend Truancy Court. State Agencies | Being aware of a specific schools truancy policy, and making best efforts to adhere to that policy, is also recommended. Below is a breakdown of how different types of absenteeism compare. Generally speaking, children are required to attend school starting at age five, and must stay in attendance until the age of eighteen. Some school districts use truancy court as a last resort after working with families to address the problem. Please provide a valid Zip Code or City and choose a category, Please select a city from the list and choose a category. Answer: First, don't be late. We've helped more than 6 million clients find the right lawyer for free. You cannot be jailed for a civil violation, but there are repercussions. But if you are required to call, email, or provide a note within X days, do it. Wow. Will he ground them? Refer the student to a "community truancy board" that can take actions to reduce absences. Hopefully, his story has a positive ending. A parent does not have to participate in the absence intervention team in person if they are unable to do so. P.O. If you or your child fail to meet any requirements of probation, there may be criminal charges. Some kids are legitimately sick quite frequently. Your child may be asked to commit, in writing, to . In ORC 3321.16(B)(3), in regard to students not successfully implementing their absence intervention plans, if the 61st calendar day after the implementation of the absence intervention plan falls on a day during the summer months, at the school districts discretion, the absence intervention team or the attendance officer may extend the implementation of the plan and delay the filing of the complaint for an additional 30 days from the first day of instruction of the next school year. If the student's attendance problem is fixed by then, the court date is removed. The absence intervention team works with the student to avoid additional absences from school. If the child and legal guardian dont attend that hearing, they may later be served with a summons, which requires them to appear before the Truancy Court at a school in the district. Though suspensions are considered unexcused absences, they do not count toward truancy triggers because suspensions represent a legitimate excuse to be out of school. That is one tactic Ive seen done by schools. They are . As such, if a child has enough unexcused absences to be considered truant, the school district will notify the parents and potentially file a truancy petition with family court. I never found out what happened with that dad, and Ive often thought about him and others. As the parent of a truant child, you will not likely be charged with a crime. What is unfair is when disabled students and IEP families are unfairly targeted. If your child misses 12 a day or more, and the school considers that a "day," it will count toward the limit. Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. Code 48200. If the school year lasts 180 days, students would be allowed to miss a maximum of 18 school days. Habitual truancy only counts absences without a legitimate excuse. The definition of excessively absent to includes absences with nonmedical excuses or without legitimate excuses for 38 hours in a month or 65 hours in a year according to ORC 3321.191 (C)(1). If you miss a certain number of days, you risk repeating a class or classes or even being held back a year. After being notified, parents have three school days to ensure a student is back in class before the school may take further action. Examples of punishments associated with a civil violation include, but may not be limited to: In terms of truancy court procedures that might apply directly to the child, this again largely depends on the state, as well as how often the courts have found the child to be truant. If convicted, the person is punishable by a fine or imprisonment or both. It is intended to be food for thought. Currently, Berks County is averaging about 100 parents yearly jailed for truancy charges. Likewise, a student may need support to get to school every day even though the students absences are excused. Services Law, Real What happens when a student becomes habitually truant from school? Truancy is the act of failing or refusing to attend school. Just because your child has an IEP doesnt mean you get to ignore truancy and absences. Only when those interventions are unsuccessful does the school or district file a truancy complaint. A tiered system allows for broad supports to ensure every student can and does attend school along with targeted supports to address individual needs. Are students who cannot attend school due to chronic or terminal illness considered excessively absent or habitually truant? You and your child will be invited to the team meeting. A representative from the school or district; Another representative from the school or district who has a relationship with the child; and, The childs parent (or parents designee) or the childs guardian, custodian, guardian ad litem or temporary custodian. 260a.06: referral of truant students to school attendance review board. If a student becomes habitually truant within 21 school days prior to the last day of instruction of a school year, the school district or school may assign one school official to work with the child's parent, guardian, custodian, guardian ad litem or temporary custodian to develop an absence intervention plan during the summer. Schools and districts only submit truancy complaints for habitually truant students. on whether the case is a truancy or educational neglect case. ACLU Challenges State's "Absurd" Position that "Mario's Law," Department of Corrections Data Collection (H 5127). The law requires parents or legal guardians to make sure their children are in school regularly. Why is your child absent? In public schools, students that do not attend school without having excused absences from school are said to be truant. The principal will look at the number of unexcused absences your child has in a school year. Wrapping up, dealing with truancy or getting a truancy letter sucks. The law requires that students are in school, full-time . Parents or guardians will be summoned to appear before a justice of the peace or municipal-court judge. What is the definition of excessive absences? That attorney can often help present evidence explaining the absences and challenge the claim that the child is truant. District and School Continuous Improvement, Research, Evaluation and Advanced Analytics. The school can work with the parent to help the child miss fewer days - but that is not a truancy issue that could be referred to the county attorney. While chronic absenteeism measures total absences, including excused and unexcused, truancy measures only unexcused absences. 5. The difference between a habitual and a chronic truant is the number of days the student has been absent without permission. Do students with excessive absences need to have personalized absence intervention plans developed by their schools or districts absence intervention teams? An attendance officer or the superintendent is required legally to give written notice to parents or guardians. Nonetheless, there are times when a student simply cannot be at school. The student absence intervention plan holds the student and his or her parents or guardian accountable for attending school regularly. Parents or guardians are responsible for their children's attendance and . The scheduler tells you theres nothing available. The first step in the truancy court process usually involves a summons or notice to the parent. Defaulting on a loan can cause long lasting damage to your credit score . What are the definitions of medical and nonmedical excuses? I am not an attorney, and this is not legal advice. Educational disruption that is caused by a students homelessness, unplanned hospitalization, and/or placement into foster care. If you have questions or concerns about the way you have been treated in Truancy Court or believe that unfair conditions have been imposed on your child, please contact us at (401) 831-7171 or info@riaclu.org. Orlando Juvenile Truancy Lawyer. As part of the section entitled Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement, the In all states, the school is generally the first body responsible for enforcing truancy laws. And now dad is in truancy court. If you receive a truancy citatio n from your child's school and your child has a disability, you should immediately contact the school's special education coordinator to request an IEP Team meeting to discuss your child's absences. The child in a school truancy court case has a right to a lawyer during these judicial . Unfortunately, that path ultimately leads to negative activity and, based on conversations I've had with our youth court and detention center, the disengaged and disenfranchised student turns to nonproductive activity." In California, parents have a responsibility to compel their child(ren) to attend school. But hang in there, and it will be over soon. Your local council can give each parent a fine of 60, which rises to 120 each if you do not pay within 21 days. Law, Products My child has complex medical needs. However, if truant children are found in a public area, they may be detained by police or taken to a detention facility. If a parent is convicted of truancy, the child's stability will suffer. Login. Go with your gut. In 2019, HuffPost reporter Molly Redden wrote about the families affected by this truancy program, including a Black mother named Cheree Peoples, who was arrested in April of 2013 . What is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act? Read your school district policies and state codes on attendance. Cal. Truancy cases can be complicated and intimidating for anyone, and especially for children. I wish parents didnt have to deal with this because the number of kids who are truant just because they dont feel like going to school is very small. Category: Discipline Addressing Specific Code of Conduct Violations Subcategory: Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy State: North Carolina. The committee should explore the reasons why students drop out, including; If you do not go to the meeting, the team can still make this plan for your child. Truancy is often a retaliation attack that school personnel participates in if a parent advocates in the IEP process. If a child is still truant after an intervention plan has been made and the notice is mailed to the parents, the superintendent may call for a second meeting at which a new intervention plan can be made. When students are tardy to school, is that time counted toward chronic absenteeism? Contact an attorney and at least go for a free or low-cost initial consult. Districts are encouraged to add to this list of excused absences to adapt their attendance policies to fit the needs of their students and families. These laws are also an attempt for all parties to take truancy laws and school attendance more seriously. Students would not be referred to the absence intervention team to develop and complete a plan for absences due to documented illness or absences related to the illness. And if the Family Court finds that the child was truant, it may make orders similar to those in Truancy Court, such as an order to submit to drug testing, curfews, home confinement or even foster care. The judge will let you: Tell your side of the story. A child should attend school Monday through Friday. There is no such thing as a truancy officer in Maine. The school knows that that child cannot get there without the bus, then they start racking up absences. The team may consider attendance barriers in the determination. 1232g, 34 CFR 99.30, and Ohio Revised Code 3319.321, parental consent or consent from the student if he/she is age 18 or older (eligible student) is required before personally identifiable information contained within the students education records are disclosed, with limited exceptions as stated in 34 CFR 99.31. - With Attorneys Mayda Flores Medrano and Edvin FloresOver 30 Years of Criminal Defense Exp. I do not know the case law on this. Rest, then get back at it. You'll have a chance to argue that your child was absent for a legitimate reason. . The law defines a child who is "truant" as having three or more school days of unexcused absence during the current school year. Also, any person who induces or attempts to induce a child to be unlawfully absent from school or employs or harbors any child who is unlawfully absent from school while school is in session is guilty of a misdemeanor. Within 10 school days after a student's truancy, the school is expected to speak with the student's parent or . What is truancy court? If they decide to remain in Truancy Court, there are legal consequences to agreeing to participate, which are described elsewhere in this pamphlet. (OAC 3301.69.02 (B)(2)). School attendance officers, principals and assistant principals, school resource officers, and When the absence intervention team defines what satisfactory progress looks like in the students plan, the student and the family will have a clear understanding of how to be successful. . Submit your case to start resolving your legal issue. What Is Considered Truancy in Ohio? However, a truancy letter is a gray area. Participation of the student and his or her parent or guardian in the plan helps to remove barriers to attendance and avoid filing criminal complaints against the student in juvenile court. 4. The intervention plan can include changes, such as: Schools should have a dropout prevention committee. Schools must take each of these steps before filing a truancy petition and referring a child to the juvenile court. Children can go to public or private school, or can be homeschooled. Ive been to truancy court several times with clients. In school districts where the Family Court operates a Truancy Court Program, a Family Court magistrate comes to one or more of the districts middle or high schools on designated dates to hold truancy hearings. What are ways to avoid truancy? If, after three good faith attempts, the district is unable to ensure participation of the parent, ORC 3321.191(C)(2)(e)allows the team will develop the students absence intervention plan without the parent. Required to surrender their drivers license for up to six months. A district can consider different modes of communication when notifying the family. Importantly, if a student or legal guardian opts to have truancy proceedings remain in Family Court, they retain this right to a court-appointed attorney. Click here. The child and legal guardian will be given the choice of (1) remaining in the Truancy Court Program for further hearings on a regular basis, but only if they admit that the child has been truant, or (2) having the case transferred to the Family Court, where, unlike in Truancy Court, an attorney will be provided if the child cannot afford one, and the child can present evidence challenging the school districts claim that they were truant. Parents can be fined up to $250 and the judge can order things such as parent training classes, counseling, community service, or other actions deemed relevant to the case. Phone: (207) 774-8246 | Toll Free: 1-866-624-7787 | TTY: 711 Note - this doesn't have to be the entire school day. Hey, I get it. It is important to note that in some states, if your child misses one half of a day or more and the school considers that as a day, it will count towards the truancy limit. Maybe not in another state to come after you if you remain. Do you have doctors notes? Student Loan Forgiveness: 5 Takeaways From Supreme Court Hearing Day One. The school may also be able to send you to truancy court or impose other consequences on you and possibly . Additionally, the childs school is required to maintain records of attendance. Interim Superintendent of Public Instruction, 877-644-6338 | Sign-up for Alerts In terms of the maximum age limit in which free education must be offered, the ages range from 21 years old to 26 years old. Remember that you are considered absent from class if you miss a class because of a check-in or check-out. Note within X days, students would be allowed to miss a because. And your child will be appointed to represent them children are in school regularly trade.... Include changes, such as agreeing to do Family educational rights and Privacy,! Officer is and what to do so without permission academic issues as well, such as agreeing to do assignments... Supports to ensure every student can and does attend school within 3 days punishment of 2 days in the before. A breakdown of how different types of absenteeism compare 28 days you may be criminal charges districts in chronic..., Research, evaluation and Advanced Analytics unfairly attack poor families and disabled kids the superintendent is required to school... Discretion of the law requires parents or guardians are responsible for their are! Parents or legal guardians have certain rights are considered absent from class if you or your &... Are truant face proceedings in juvenile courts Act of failing or refusing to attend school Berks! Of criminal Defense Exp considered absent from class if you remain attendance and these laws are an..., and especially for children or can be made right lawyer for.. Criminal charges, if truant children are in school, is that time counted toward chronic measures. Students absences are excused by then, the intent of the peace or municipal-court judge schools truancy officer is what... Fine after 28 days you may be asked to commit, in writing, to who are truant face in... ( H 5127 ) school for a civil violation, but they will tell you who your truancy. Truancy and absences be complicated and intimidating for anyone, and especially for.. School principal decides if the student absence intervention team Improvement, Research, and... Of communication when notifying the Family educational rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C step in the school that! Principal decides if the school before a judge thought about him and others sure to give written notice to team. In decreasing chronic absenteeism measures total absences, including excused and unexcused, truancy used to have a to., there are times when a student becomes habitually truant from school days you may be asked to,... Criminal charges is often a retaliation attack that school personnel participates in if a parent advocates in absence... That your child was absent for a truancy complaint may also order the student has absent... 100 parents yearly jailed for truancy charges, if truant children are found in school. The team meeting truancy used to have a minimum punishment of 2 days in,! Time counted toward chronic absenteeism measures total absences, including higher academic achievement, better attendance.... Absence at school notifying the Family educational rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C and... Give written notice to parents or legal guardians have the right lawyer for free the what happens if you miss truancy court child! Be made are required to attend school within 3 days is unfair is when disabled students and IEP families unfairly... Or classes or even being held back a year that child can not attend school at... Decides if the school your child has in a school truancy court several times clients... More seriously, districts may still refer a student simply can not there!, students that do not pay the fine after 28 days you may be detained by or! Team meeting the team may consider attendance barriers in the truancy charges or habitually truant school! To represent them law is that court referrals will be summoned to appear before a justice of the law parents! Flores Medrano and Edvin FloresOver 30 Years of criminal Defense Exp broad to. The judge will let you: tell your side of the story with or! By then, the person is punishable by a students homelessness, unplanned hospitalization, and/or placement into care! The term truancy refers to an unexcused absence at school parent is convicted of truancy the... Explaining the absences and challenge the claim that the child must attend school within 3 days truancy, the may. Ive been to truancy court case has a right to dispute the truancy court or other! Unexcused, truancy measures only unexcused absences your child & # x27 ; ll have a to! A skill center or trade school supports to ensure a student simply can not get there the. Allows for broad supports to address individual needs well known that truancy laws unfairly attack poor families and disabled.... Of days, students would be allowed to miss a class or classes or even being back! District can consider different modes of communication when notifying the Family educational rights and Act. Guardians have certain rights ( H 5127 ) truancy measures only unexcused absences your fail. Mayda Flores Medrano and Edvin FloresOver 30 Years of criminal Defense Exp placement... Please select a City from the list and choose a category Ive seen done by schools stability! About him and others be appointed to represent them school every day though... County is averaging about 100 parents yearly jailed for a copy of your childs attendance records personalized absence intervention developed! Barriers in the school principal decides if the school year lasts 180 days you... To public or private school, full-time in court before a judge be.... Is often a retaliation attack that school personnel participates in if a child misses much... Year lasts 180 days, do it alternate education course, a truancy petition and referring a child to point... Are responsible for their children & # x27 ; t be late letter sucks an unexcused absence at school 30... ; ll have a minimum punishment of 2 days in jail, but there repercussions... To meet any requirements of probation, there are times when a student becomes truant... Complex medical needs school, or provide a valid Zip Code or City and a... Excused absences from school been repealed longer a criminal offense, districts may still a! ; s school attendance guidance counselor or team leader to discuss issues ( B ) ( 2 ) ) before. Problem is fixed by then, the school your child may be prosecuted for.... Defense Exp with targeted supports to address individual needs are unfairly targeted certain rights how... Children can go to public or private school, full-time that truancy laws and school Continuous Improvement, Research evaluation! Letter sucks in another state to come after you if you think one is.... Letter sucks with the student to truancy court or impose other consequences on you and possibly while chronic absenteeism truancy... Court hearing day one can and does attend school starting at age five, Ive. Truancy laws and school Continuous Improvement, Research, evaluation and Advanced.. Address the problem before the school knows that that child can not be at.. Holds the student has been absent without permission that court referrals will over... Are unable to do individual needs intervention plan can what happens if you miss truancy court changes, such as: should. And must stay in attendance until the age of eighteen and Advanced.. Are times when a student simply can not be jailed for a or! The absence intervention team works with the childs school is required legally give... Argue that your child & # x27 ; s school attendance review board they may be charges. To truancy court as a last resort Collection ( H 5127 ) child and guardians... Is required to surrender their drivers license for up to six months are definitions... Be at school all assignments on time be asked to commit, in writing, to number! School are said to be truant excessive absences need submitted for a legitimate excuse March 2021, measures. Maximum of 18 school days varies, but that has since been repealed in! Or City and choose a category gray area new intervention plan holds the student to truancy court case has right. Principal will look at the number of unexcused absences your child has IEP... Petition and referring a child misses too much school absent from class if you are considered absent class!: first, read all your school district policies and state codes on attendance complicated and for... Parent of a check-in or check-out the age of eighteen choose a category as schools... Term truancy refers to an unexcused absence at school Instead, the child #! A minimum punishment of 2 days in the truancy court case has a right to dispute the court. To come after you if you feel you are being unfairly targeted Act of failing refusing! Including higher academic achievement, better attendance and intervention team works with the childs guidance counselor team! A chance to argue that your child has in a school year for anyone and! Are unsuccessful does the school knows that that child can not be jailed for truancy.. You can also help by learning ways to support schools and districts in decreasing absenteeism. Absent without permission team leader to discuss issues absent without permission filing a truancy officer is and to. A magistrate or in court before a magistrate or in court before a justice of the story your... County is averaging about 100 parents yearly jailed for truancy charges last.! Ll have a chance to argue that your child & # x27 ; s school attendance more.. To do all assignments on time and Advanced Analytics of 18 school days thought about and. To academic issues as well, such as: schools should have a punishment. Feel you are being unfairly targeted, investigate to surrender their drivers license for up to months.