Bills Look to Prevent Truancy

A package of bills aimed at keeping kids in school and out of jail will be reviewed by legislators when they return to Lansing after their winter break. If approved, truancy would be defined as missing ten unexcused days of school each year. The definition of chronic absenteeism would be a student missing ten-percent of the number of scheduled school days in a year. Additionally school districts will be required to report both truancy and chronic absenteeism to the state. The thinking behind the legislation is based, in part, on the notion that if kids are in school they’re not out getting into trouble.