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ATTENTION PARENTS: Indiana’s New School Attendance Law Takes Effect July 1, 2025!
Starting this school year, Indiana is changing the way student absences are counted under Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 482, and it could affect your child’s attendance record, even for excused absences.
Here’s What You Need to Know:
NOT Counted as Absences (Student Is Marked Present)
Indiana Statehouse page/honoree
Election Day participation
Subpoenaed court appearance
Active military duty (15+ days/year)
Approved 4-H, FFA, or Indiana State Fair events
Pre-approved school-sponsored educational activities
(As long as documentation is provided!)
Excused BUT STILL Counted as Absences
Illness (with call or doctor’s note)
Family emergencies or death of a loved one
Pre-planned vacations
Religious holidays
Weather delays, nurse dismissals, transportation issues
Here’s What’s New and Bigger Than Before:
ALL absences now count — excused or not. That’s right: even doctor-approved days off are now added to a student’s overall attendance record.
CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM = missing 10% or more of the school year — no matter the reason.
(Source: Indiana General Assembly)
EARLY INTERVENTION is key. Schools are required to step in early — offering attendance contracts, mentoring, or support before students fall behind.
TRUANCY rules are stricter. Truancy still refers to unexcused absences, but schools must now address it more proactively.
LOCAL DISTRICTS still set some rules, like what counts as an excused absence — but the state now tracks the total numbers closely.
IDOE is launching an Early Warning Dashboard to help schools flag at-risk students before they cross the chronic absentee line.
These changes reflect how serious the state is about keeping kids in class. The data shows that consistent attendance = better grades, higher graduation rates, and brighter futures.
This is the link for more information on absenteeism: https://www.in.gov/doe/chronic-absenteeism
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