Truancy
School Attendance Law and Definitions
Michigan Compulsory Attendance Law
The law in Michigan governing compulsory attendance requires a parent, legal guardian, or other person having control or charge of a child to send the child to school during the entire school year, except under the limited circumstances specified in subsection (3) of section 380.1561. The exceptions include, but are not limited to, sending the child to a state-approved, nonpublic school or educating the child at home in an organized educational program. Although the compulsory school attendance law does not apply to children under the age of six, a child who is at least five years of age by December 1 of the school year and is a resident of a school district which provides kindergarten work is entitled to enroll in the kindergarten [MCL 380.1147].
Michigan Compulsory Attendance Act
Truancy
Truant means a child who has ten (10) or more absences per school year. Once deemed truant, a child shall be monitored throughout the school year until improved attendance is consistent.
Chronically Absent
Chronically absent means absent for 10% or more of the enrolled school days in a school year, whether absenteeism is due to unexcused, excused, or disciplinary absences. Note: All absences for the school year should be counted, even if they have carried over from a different school.