New State Law Addresses Truancy

Changes in state law reinforce the importance of daily attendance for all Ohio students.

Missing too much school has long-term, negative effects, such as lower achievement and lower graduation rates. The Ohio General Assembly passed House Bill 410 last December to encourage and support districts in a preventative approach to excessive absences and truancy. Starting in the 2017-2018 school year, schools cannot suspend or expel students for missing too much school. Districts must amend or adopt policies that outline their interventions and plans for students with excessive absences. The legislation emphasizes parent engagement and accountability as part of a student’s absence intervention plan.

A document with House Bill 410 guidance and Frequently Asked Qs can be found at:
http://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/Topics/Data/Proving-Ground/House-Bill-410-FAQ.pdf.aspx

From: Ohio Department of Education