Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy

Chronic Absenteeism

Truancy

Focuses on how much school a student misses.

Focuses on unexcused absences and compliance with attendance requirements.

A student is chronically absent when they miss 50% or more of the instructional day for 10% or more of their enrollment period.

A student ages 6–17 is considered truant after 3 consecutive unexcused absences OR 5 total unexcused absences during the school year.

All absences count: excused, unexcused, and suspensions.

Only full-day unexcused absences count.

The emphasis is on identifying attendance patterns early and addressing barriers to attendance.

The emphasis is on intervention and compliance with attendance requirements.