STATEWIDE–Indiana’s chronic absenteeism rate has improved for the third year in a row, but legislators know there is still more work to be done.

That improvement includes all grade levels and student populations. The state defines chronic absenteeism as a student missing at least 10% of school days or about three and a half weeks.

State Representative Craig Snow of Warsaw supported Senate Enrolled Act 482 which clearly defines chronic absenteeism in Indiana code and helps advance best practices to reduce truancy. Snow says this new law enhances parental engagement and prioritizes intervention over punishment by prohibiting schools from expelling or suspending students solely for attendance issues.

“Students need to be in school to get the most out of their education. Unfortunately, chro

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