What is the Illinois law on school attendance?

State compulsory education laws define which types of schooling are acceptable and the ages between which school attendance is required. Illinois compulsory education laws mandate that children between the ages of seven and 16 must attend school.

How many absences are allowed in a school year Illinois?

Parents/guardians may be notified following 3, 5, and 9 days of absence or tardies within a school year, and a school intervention may be initiated. After the 9th school day (5% of regular attendance days) on which a student is absent without valid cause, he/she is deemed to be truant under Illinois law.

What is Illinois compulsory attendance?

The Illinois compulsory attendance law requires all children ages 6-17 to attend school. Children below the age of six or above the age of 17 who are enrolled in grades Kindergarten – 12 are also required to attend school while in session during the regular school term.

What is considered chronic absenteeism in Illinois schools?

Illinois law defines “chronic absentee” as a student who misses 10 percent of school days within an academic year with or without a valid excuse. That's 18 days of an average 180-day school year. Excused absences include illness, suspension, need to care for a family member, etc.

How many days of student attendance in Illinois?

The Public School District Calendar prescribed in Section 10-19 of the School Code mandates a minimum of 185 days in the proposed school calendar to ensure 176 days of student attendance.

Legal Lens: Parents jailed for unexcused school absences?

How many excused absences are allowed in a school year in Illinois 2023?

Such a student shall be granted 5 days of excused absences in any school year and, at the discretion of the school board, additional excused absences to visit the student's parent or legal guardian relative to such leave or deployment of the parent or legal guardian.

How many absences can you have in Illinois?

In the state of Illinois, a Chronic Truant is any student subject to compulsory school attendance who is absent without valid cause for 5% of the previous 180 school days. A school year has approximately 180 days. 5% of the school year is 9 days.

What are three 3 reasons for which an absence or absences may be considered excused?

Personal illness or injury. Quarantine under the direction of a county or city health office. Medical, dental, or chiropractic services. Attendance at funeral services for a member of the immediate family.

What is a chronic absence in Illinois?

A student is labeled chronically absent if they miss more than 10% of the school year — or about 18 to 20 days — with or without a valid excuse. Illinois defines the school year as a minimum of 185 days, with student attendance required for 176 days. Chronic absenteeism is sometimes conflated with truancy.

How many days is considered excessive absenteeism?

As every company is different, there is no universal guideline for how many days off is considered excessive absenteeism. But a good definition would be 3 or more unexcused occurrences in a 90-day period. In general, companies should strive for a 1.5% absenteeism rate from their employees.

What is an excused absence from school Illinois?

"Valid cause" for absence shall be illness, including the mental or behavioral health of the student, attendance at a verified medical or therapeutic appointment, appointment with a victim services provider, observance of a religious holiday, death in the immediate family, attendance at a civic event, or family ...

Is it illegal to not send your kids to school in Illinois?

Illinois compulsory education laws mandate that children between the ages of seven and 16 must attend school. For every child born in Illinois after 2021, the state also puts $50 in their college savings account.

At what age can a kid drop out of school in Illinois?

Illinois is one of 11 states where students can drop out at age 17. The other 19 states allow students to drop out of school at age 16.

Do kids have to go to school in Illinois?

(By law, a child must begin school if he or she is 6 years old on or before Sept. 1.) These parents believe that older children are more successful in coping with the social, emotional, and academic demands of kindergarten than younger children.

Is homeschooling free in Illinois?

There is no state-sanctioned, free homeschooling option in Illinois such as a free online public school. A parent bears the full financial burden of homeschooling.

Can you live in one school district and go to another in IL?

In general, Illinois families cannot transfer to public schools outside their district. In the limited cases where a transfer to another district is possible, families may be charged fees.

Does Illinois have a sick leave law?

Employees are eligible to begin taking leave 90 days after their employment begins or 90 days after January 1, 2024, whichever is later. Once eligible, employees may determine when and how much leave to use, but employers may set a reasonable minimum increment of no less than two hours per day.

What is the new law for sick days in Illinois?

Illinois law requires employers to provide paid leave effective January 1, 2024. Effective January 1 2024, SB 0208 requires employers to provide employees working within Illinois up to 40 hours of paid leave per 12-month period.

Do mental health days count as absences in Illinois?

Mental health days are not counted as unexcused absences; therefore, they will not impact truancy.

What is good excuse for missing school?

How many unscheduled absences are acceptable per year?

Absenteeism Is Broadly Defined As Chronic / Habitual / Not Prescheduled / Failure To Appear For Work – That Isn't Authorized By The Employee's Supervisor. Absenteeism rates vary across occupations & industry. Two (or less) unscheduled absences each year for an employee is considered an 'acceptable' absence rate.

What is a valid reason for being absent in school?

If you're short on time, here's a quick answer to your question: Illness, medical appointments, family emergencies, transportation issues, court dates, religious observances, college visits, military-related events, bereavement, and school-sanctioned activities are the top 10 reasons students may need to be absent from ...

Can you drop out of high school at 16 in Illinois?

Illinois doesn't allow 16-year-olds to drop out even with parental permission unless they can prove (1) they have a job that's both necessary and legal (including under child-labor laws) IF the child also attends continuation-school part-time, or (2) enrolls in a graduation incentive program or an alternative-learning- ...

Is kindergarten mandatory in Illinois?

In Illinois, children are not required to go to school until age 6. Working parents who cannot afford early education or child care must stay home to care for their kids. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, even more parents have left the workforce to care for their young children.

How many mental health days do students get in Illinois?

The education bill, which was passed last fall and went into effect in January, allows students to use up to five mental or behavioral health days without a medical note and students are also able to make up any missed work.