The school attendance law in Indiana regarding chronic absenteeism has changed, but it’s not how most people think. Students are required by law to attend school for all 180 days, but there are very few exceptions allowed by the law. 

 As of July 1, the Senate has enrolled Act 482, which directs schools to track absenteeism more consistently and report data related to it, allowing state officials to better understand and respond to the problem. By law, “chronic absenteeism” is now defined as missing at least 10% of instructional days in a school year for any reason, excused or not. That’s equal to about 18 absences per school year.

“The main thing that the state wants is to collect why these students are absent. So now there are different categories that we click, like doctor, family illness, funeral, and they’re going to take all that data and then find out why students are missing more than before,” said Assistant Principal Adam Stroud. 

Students should still attend classes as expected, but there are now a few additional stipulations that need to be followed. 

“There is no impact on students or families, as SEA 482 does not change who decides what counts as an excused or unexcused absence. The local school district policies will still make those decisions,” said Stroud.