What is truancy in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania law has created two distinctive procedures for when (1) a child is truant, and for when (2) a child is habitually truant. In regard to truant children, the law requires schools to notify a parent or guardian of this behavior in writing within ten school days of a child's third unexcused absence.

How does truancy work in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Department of Education states that truancy is any unexcused absence from school. Under the law, every principal or teacher must report to the superintendent, attendance officer, or the secretary of the school board any child who has had three (3) unexcused absences in a school year.

What happens if your child misses too much school in PA?

If a habitually truant child is under age 15, the school must refer the child to either (1) a school-based or community-based attendance improvement program or (2) the county children and youth agency for services or possible disposition as a dependent child.

How many absences are allowed in a school year 2023 pa?

A maximum of 10 days of cumulative lawful absences verified by parental notification may be permitted during the school year. All absences beyond 10 cumulative days will require an excuse from a licensed physician. Any days absent after 10, without a physician's excuse, will be considered unexcused/unlawful.

Is truancy a misdemeanor in PA?

(a) Offense defined.--

(2) Any person who knowingly aids, abets, entices or encourages a minor younger than 18 years of age to commit truancy commits a summary offense. Any person who violates this paragraph within one year of the date of a first conviction under this section commits a misdemeanor of the third degree.

School Attendance and Truancy in PA, What the Law Says

Can a parent go to jail for truancy in Pennsylvania?

Law enforcement, school administrators, and the courts hold parents, guardians, or any person in parental relation to the child accountable for truancy in all circumstances. Being the parent of a truant child could cost you hundreds of dollars in fines, and even land you a jail or prison sentence in severe cases.

How long does a father have to be absent to lose his rights in PA?

The grounds for involuntary termination are: The parent shows a "sense of purpose" in relinquishing their parental rights, or has refused or failed to perform their duties for at least six months.

What is the fine for truancy in PA?

Fines up to $750.

A person convicted of habitual truancy may be fined: (1) up to $300 per offense, with court costs, for the first offense; (2) up to $500 per offense, with court costs, for the second offense; and (3) $750 per offense, with court costs, for a third and any and all subsequent offenses.

How many days of school can a child miss in PA?

Under state truancy laws, a Pennsylvania student who accumulates three or more unexcused absences in a single school year is considered “truant.” In the worst cases, truancy can lead to hundreds of dollars in fines or years of court involvement.

Is attendance mandatory in PA school?

Compulsory attendance applies to children enrolled in all public schools, including charter and cyber charter schools, as well as privately tutored and homeschooled children.

Are unexcused absences a big deal?

When an absence is labeled unexcused, it affects how a student and their family are treated. Although students face no negative consequences for excused absences, they can be denied credit for missed work, excluded from extracurricular activities, and eventually taken to court and fined for unexcused absences.

Do truancy laws apply to 19 year olds in PA?

All students in Pennsylvania must attend school no later than age 6 until age 18 or graduation, whichever occurs sooner. 1 In general, rules for attending school do not apply to youth under 18 who have a certificate of graduation from a regularly accredited, licensed, registered, or approved high school.

Do truancy laws apply to 18 year olds in PA 2023?

Under Pennsylvania law, all students between the ages of six (6) and eighteen (18) must attend school every day. Once a student is enrolled in school, this includes students in kindergarten, they are subject to compulsory attendance until the student reaches age 18.

What is Chapter 14 in PA?

Chapter 14 Special Education Services and Regulations

The purpose of this chapter is to specify how the Commonwealth will meet its obligation to both suspected and identified exceptional students and to provide appropriate, quality education services.

What happens if your child doesn't go to school?

In extreme cases where a child consistently does not attend school despite interventions and support, parents may face criminal charges. These charges can range from neglect or truancy offenses to child endangerment.

How to homeschool in Pennsylvania?

Can I dropout of school at 16 in Pennsylvania?

A: Section 1330 of the Pennsylvania School Code allows for 16 year olds to drop out if the employment they are seeking requires a work permit.

What are the truancy laws in Philadelphia?

According to Pennsylvania law, a child is truant if they have three or more unexcused absences during one year. A child is "habitually truant" if they have six or more unexcused absences in one school year. TIPS works with community-based agencies to help families get kids in school consistently and on time.

How many days can a child miss school in Philadelphia?

Truancy means having three (3) or more unexcused absences during the current school year, by a student subject to compulsory school attendance. Students who have six (6) or more unexcused absences are considered habitually truant. Students who have ten (10) or more unexcused absences are considered chronically truant.

How many parent excused absences are allowed in PA?

A maximum of ten (10) days of cumulative lawful (excused) absences verified by parental notification may be permitted during a school year. All absences beyond ten (10) cumulative days may require an excuse from a physician.

Is school mandatory in the US?

In the United States, students begin formal education around age five or six. Generally, elementary and secondary school grades kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) are required, after which a student may choose to attend college or university.

How many unexcused absences are allowed in a school year Delaware?

A student who has been absent from school without a valid excuse for more than 3 school days in a school year is a truant. A truant and the parent of a truant are subject to the administrative procedures and court proceedings set out in subchapter II of this chapter.

What makes a father unfit in PA?

If a parent is abusive, has a drug or alcohol problem, mental health issues, or is unable to provide a stable home environment because of their financial problems that do not allow them to support their children adequately, these would all qualify as unfit.

What is considered an absent parent in PA?

Most of the time an absent parent usually does not live with their child and sometimes even lives in another state or county. This can often result in the other biological parent having to raise their child all on their own; typically without any financial or physical support.

At what age can a child refuse to see a parent in PA?

Encourage them to participate in the agreed-upon schedules and do not allow a child to take control over whether or not they want to visit. In Pennsylvania, there is no age earlier than 18 at which a child can refuse to see the other parent.