THE DEFINITION OF CHRONIC TRUANCY
I was unaware that state law in Illinois changed the definition of “chronic truancy” last July. The new law states that a student is “chronically truant” if they miss 5 percent, or nine school days, of the 180 day school year without a valid cause. Under the old law and definition, a student had to miss 10 percent of school days (18) within a school year.
The new law makes it much easier for a student to reach the definition of being “chronically truant”. The old law was just ridiculous. Imagine, a student previously could miss 17 days without a valid excuse and still be considered NOT chronically truant. Imagine how many days these students really miss when you include the days they are absent and DO have a valid excuse.
Imagine that you are the teacher of a student who is chronically truant. The school and authorities have done all they can to compel the youngster to attend, and yet the absences keep coming. You, the teacher, are still
The new law makes it much easier for a student to reach the definition of being “chronically truant”. The old law was just ridiculous. Imagine, a student previously could miss 17 days without a valid excuse and still be considered NOT chronically truant. Imagine how many days these students really miss when you include the days they are absent and DO have a valid excuse.
Imagine that you are the teacher of a student who is chronically truant. The school and authorities have done all they can to compel the youngster to attend, and yet the absences keep coming. You, the teacher, are still
