What is Truancy?

It is any unexcused absence from school. Each state has their own school attendance laws and each school district has its own attendance policy. State law deterimines 1) the age at which a child is required to begin attending school, 2) the age at which a child may legally drop-out of school and 3) the number of unexcused absences at which a student is considered legally truant. Indiana school attendance law requires students to attend school from the age of 7 until the student graduates high school, becomes 18 years old, or 16 years old and follows the exit interview process to drop-out of school. The exist interview must be personally attended by: student’s parents, student, and students’ principal. The parents, student and principal must all agree to the withdrawal from school. The principal shall inform the student and student’s parent about having their work permit and driver’s license suspended till the age of 18.