Truancy
Fair School Funding
Truancy
Equal Access
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Education Law Center attorneys presented testimony to Pennsylvania’s Joint State Government Commission on Aug. 17, 2023, with recommendations about Act 138 of 2016, which substantially changed the truancy provisions of Pennsylvania’s Public School Code. The testimony addressed problems with the implementation of the act and the need for more specific statewide policies.
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Schools have a legal obligation to maintain accurate student records, including attendance records. Use this tool to request that the school correct your child’s attendance if your child has incorrectly received an unexcused absence. Some schools call unexcused absences “illegal absences.” Please be as detailed as possible when completing this form and attach any documentation you may have to either show your child was present at school or that your child was absent from school for an excused reason such as receiving physical or mental health care or due to a family emergency or “other urgent reasons.”
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Magisterial District Court Judges (MDJs) hear truancy proceedings and have the authority to impose discretionary penalties on families and students. This tool helps MDJs make sure that all attendance barriers have been identified by Local Education Agencies (LEAs), confirm that LEAs have complied with all duties outlined in Pennsylvania’s truancy laws, and provides action steps to address school-based issues.
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Schools have legal obligations under Pennsylvania’s truancy laws to identify and address barriers to student attendance during the School Attendance Improvement Conference. This conference must take place prior to any referral to truancy court and no later than after a student has six unexcused absences. Schools can use this tool to identify attendance barriers and take action steps to be in compliance with truancy laws once a barrier is identified
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Senior Staff Attorney Maura McInerney provided testimony to the Pennsylvania Senate’s Education Committee at their June 9th hearing on truancy. She discussed how punitive responses to truancy can be ineffectual and counterproductive and the importance of school-level interventions to improve attendance.
Truancy
School to Prison Pipeline
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This fact sheet is intended for Magisterial District Justices (MDJs) and other judges to use when adjudicating truancy matters under Pennsylvania’s compulsory school attendance law. It highlights key changes to the law in light of Act 138 of 2016, which substantially changed the truancy provisions of Pennsylvania’s Public School Code.
Read the guide here.
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Senior Staff Attorney Maura McInerney provided testimony to the Pennsylvania Senate’s Education Committee at their June 9th hearing on truancy. She discussed how punitive responses to truancy can be ineffectual and counterproductive and the importance of school-level interventions to improve attendance.