Understanding Ohio’s Updated Attendance Laws
Our top priority is to work collaboratively with schools and families to provide the support students need to attend school regularly. Regular school attendance plays an important role in student success. Ohio has updated its attendance laws, and Sandusky City Schools wants to make sure families understand what these changes mean and how they may affect students.
What has changed?
One important change is how chronic absenteeism is measured.
Under Ohio’s attendance guidelines, all time missed from school counts toward chronic absenteeism, including both excused and unexcused absences.
A student is considered chronically absent when they miss 10% or more of the school year. In a typical school year, that is about 18 days.
This does not mean that students should attend school when they are sick. Families should continue to follow school procedures when a student needs to stay home due to illness or another valid reason.
Why is attendance important?
When students miss school, they can miss lessons, classroom activities, assignments, and important time with their teachers and classmates.
Even a few absences each month can add up quickly. Tracking attendance helps schools identify when a student may be missing a significant amount of learning time and may need additional support.
Chronic Absenteeism vs. Truancy
The terms chronic absenteeism and truancy are not the same.
Chronic absenteeism looks at the total amount of time a student misses school, including excused absences. It is focused on missed instructional time and student support.
Truancy is based on unexcused absences and has specific requirements under Ohio law. When a student reaches certain levels of unexcused absences, schools may be required to take additional steps to address the attendance concern.
How will schools support families?
Schools will monitor student attendance and communicate with families when attendance becomes a concern.
The purpose is to identify concerns early and work with families to help students attend school regularly. Depending on the situation, schools may connect families with additional resources or support.
How can parents and guardians help?
Families can help support regular attendance by:
- Making school attendance a priority.
- Scheduling appointments outside of school hours when possible.
- Making sure students arrive at school on time.
- Contact the school when a student will be absent.
- Providing required documentation when needed.
- Responding to attendance messages from the school.
- Talking with the school if there are challenges that are making regular attendance difficult.
Every Day Counts
Our goal is simple: We want every student in school, learning, growing, and connected to their school community.
If you have questions about your child's attendance or need help addressing an attendance concern, please contact your child's school. We are here to work with families and support student success.