§ 20-33-2.5-4 — Truancy prevention policy

Indiana § 20-33-2.5-4

• Jurisdiction: Indiana
• Title 20: EDUCATION
• Art. 33: STUDENTS: GENERAL PROVISIONS
• Ch. 2.5: Truancy Prevention Policy

Text

Each governing authority shall adopt a
truancy prevention policy regarding absent students that includes the
following:
(1) A school shall immediately provide written notification to the
parent of an absent student that includes the following
information:
(A) That the student is an absent student based on the student's
school attendance.
(B) That the parent is responsible for:
(i) monitoring the absent student's school attendance; and
(ii) ensuring the absent student attends school in accordance
with compulsory attendance laws.
(C) That the school will be initiating truancy prevention
measures regarding the absent student.
(D) That the parent is required to attend an attendance
conference regarding the truancy prevention measures that the
school will be implementing for the absent student.
(E) That, if the student meets the requirements of a habitual
truant, the:
(i) superintendent or attendance officer of the school is
required to report the student to an intake officer of the
juvenile court or the department of child services in
accordance with IC 20-33-2-25;
(ii) juvenile court may determine that the student is
committing a delinquent act as provided under IC 31-37-2-3;
and
(iii) parent of the student may be subject to prosecution under
IC 35-46-1-4.
(2) Except as provided under section 5 of this chapter, a school
shall hold an attendance conference with at least the following
individuals to discuss the student's absences and establish a plan
for the student to prevent future absences:
(A) A representative of the school.
(B) A teacher of the student.
(C) The student's parent.
(D) A representative chosen by the student's parent who may
provide insight into the student's absenteeism if the student's
parent:
(i) makes a request to the school that the representative
attend; and
(ii) provides notice to the school regarding the identification
of the representative;
at least forty-eight (48) hours before the attendance conference.
(3) A school shall establish a plan under subdivision (2) that may
include the following:
(A) Any wraparound services that are able to be provided to the
absent student to ensure the absent student attends school.
(B) A specific description of the behavior that is required or
prohibited for the absent student.
(C) The period for which the plan will be effective, not to
exceed forty-five (45) instructional days after the date the plan
is established.
(D) Any additional disciplinary action the school will take if the
absent student does not comply with the plan.
(E) If applicable, a referral to counseling, mentoring, or other
services for the student.
(F) If applicable, whether a parent is expected to attend the
counseling, mentoring, or other services under clause (E) with
the student.
(G) To the extent possible, the signature of the parent of the
student agreeing to comply with the plan.
(4) A school shall offer additional counseling or services to an
absent student if the school determines that the student's absences
are related to any of the following:
(A) The student's pregnancy.
(B) That the student is in foster care (as defined in IC 31-9-2-46.7).
(C) That the student is homeless.
(D) That the student has a severe or life threatening illness or
related treatment.

Legislative History

As added by P.L.125-2024, SEC.6.