The messages come in many forms. Emails, texts, automated phone calls. They start simply enough. “Reaching out because (child’s name) has three unexcused absences. Please see the attached document for the attendance policy.”
They quickly become more stern and sometimes threatening, mentioning reporting families to the county prosecutor or Indiana Department of Child Services for further absences.
Ideally, Indiana schools don’t want to see kids missing more than around 5 school days per year. Once a student reaches four unexcused absences, a DCS social worker is ordered to make a home visit. At five unexcused absences, the parent meets with the school’s principal to complete an attendance plan.
Read more at IndyStar.
