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Truancy and Compulsory School Attendance

Regular attendance is essential to student learning and success. The Greater Johnstown School District will work with students and families to identify and address barriers to attendance while fulfilling its responsibilities under Pennsylvania’s compulsory school attendance laws.

Definitions

Pennsylvania’s compulsory attendance requirements generally apply from the time a child enters school, which must be no later than age six, until the child reaches age 18, unless a statutory exception applies.

For purposes of this policy:

• An unexcused absence is an absence that does not qualify as lawful under Pennsylvania law or District policy.

• A child of compulsory school age is truant after accumulating three or more school days, or their equivalent, of unexcused absences during the current school year.

• A child of compulsory school age is habitually truant after accumulating six or more school days, or their equivalent, of unexcused absences during the current school year.

Partial-day and class absences will be recorded and may accumulate as equivalent days of unexcused absence in accordance with District attendance procedures and applicable state reporting requirements.

District Response to Unexcused Absences

The District will notify the person in parental relation following unexcused absences and will provide opportunities to discuss attendance concerns, correct attendance records, and identify supports that may help the student attend school regularly.

Within 10 school days of a student’s third unexcused absence, the District will provide the person in parental relation with the written notice required by Section 1333 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code. The notice will be provided in the preferred mode and language of communication and will include:

• The dates of the student’s unexcused absences;

• The consequences that may follow if the student becomes habitually truant;

• Available resources to help the student return to regular attendance;

• Opportunities for academic recovery; and

• Other notices required by Pennsylvania law.

The District may offer a School Attendance Improvement Conference following the third unexcused absence. If the student incurs additional unexcused absences after the required notice has been issued, the District will offer a School Attendance Improvement Conference unless one has already been held.

The conference will examine the reasons for the student’s absences and identify appropriate school, family, health, social-service, or community supports. The District will document the outcome in a written School Attendance Improvement Plan. The conference will proceed after appropriate notice even if the student or person in parental relation declines or fails to participate.

The District will not initiate a truancy citation or other legal action until after the scheduled School Attendance Improvement Conference has occurred or the scheduled conference date has passed.

Habitual Truancy

When a student becomes habitually truant, the District will follow the age-specific procedures established by Pennsylvania law.

For a habitually truant child who is under age 15, the District will refer the child to:

• A school-based or community-based attendance improvement program; or

• The county children and youth agency for services or possible disposition under the Juvenile Act.

The District may also file a citation against the person in parental relation as permitted by law.

For a habitually truant child who is age 15 or older, the District will either:

• Refer the child to a school-based or community-based attendance improvement program or service; or

• File a citation against the child or the person in parental relation, as permitted by law.

If a student age 15 or older continues to accumulate unexcused absences following a referral or refuses to participate in a recommended attendance improvement program, the District may refer the student to the county children and youth agency as authorized by law.

A truancy citation is not automatic after three unexcused absences. Any referral, citation, or compulsory-attendance proceeding will be initiated only after the District completes the notices, conference, planning, and other procedures required by law. Judicial penalties, if any, are determined by the court under Section 1333.2 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code.

Educational and Disciplinary Response

Pennsylvania law prohibits a public school from expelling a student or imposing an out-of-school suspension, disciplinary reassignment, or transfer because of truant behavior. Accordingly, the District will not exclude a student from school solely because the student is truant or habitually truant.

The District may use lawful school-based interventions, including counseling, mentoring, attendance monitoring, academic assistance, family outreach, referrals for services, and other supports identified through the School Attendance Improvement Plan. In-school interventions must be implemented in a manner that supports, rather than unnecessarily reduces, the student’s access to instruction.

Misconduct that is separate from the attendance violation—including leaving school grounds, entering a restricted area, or leaving an assigned location without authorization—may be addressed under the applicable provision of the Student Code of Conduct. Such conduct will not be characterized or disciplined as truancy unless it also constitutes an unexcused absence.

Academic Work During an Absence

Students are responsible for completing learning activities and assignments missed during an absence. An unexcused absence may affect academic progress; however, a student will not automatically receive a zero solely because an absence was unexcused.

Students will be provided a reasonable opportunity to obtain and complete missed work, consistent with the District’s grading and make-up-work procedures. Grades will reflect the student’s demonstrated achievement of course standards. Consequences for late or incomplete work will be applied consistently with the course syllabus, District policy, and applicable protections for students with disabilities.

Students with Disabilities or Health-Related Needs

When attendance concerns may be related to a disability, medical condition, mental-health need, or other protected circumstance, the District will consider its obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

When appropriate, the student’s IEP or Section 504 team will be convened to determine whether the absences are related to the student’s disability and whether evaluations, services, accommodations, or revisions to the student’s educational program are necessary. Truancy procedures will not be used in a manner that denies a student a free appropriate public education or other protections provided by law.

Legal References

• Pennsylvania Public School Code, 24 P.S. §§ 13-1326–13-1354

• 24 P.S. § 13-1333, Procedure When Child Is Truant

• 24 P.S. § 13-1333.1, Procedure by School When Child Is Habitually Truant

• 24 P.S. § 13-1333.2, Procedure Upon Filing of Citation

• 22 Pa. Code Chapter 11, Student Attendance

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 794

• Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.