Chronic absenteeism and chronic truancy are persistent issues in California’s K-12 education system, with nearly a quarter of students missing several weeks’ worth of school during the 2022-23 school year. While chronic absenteeism decreased by 5 percentage points from the previous year, the lingering effects of the pandemic are still evident in the high rates of absences.
**Understanding the Key Differences**
Chronic absenteeism and chronic truancy are often used interchangeably, but there are key differences between the two that have significant implications for students and their families. The way absences are recorded, whether as excused or unexcused, plays a crucial role in determining whether a student is considered chronically absent or chronically truant.
**Defining Truancy vs. Absenteeism**
California law defines truancy as a student having three unexcused absences of more than 30 minutes each during a school year. If a student is reported as truant three or more times in a school year and efforts have been made to address the absences with the student and their parents, they are considered habitually truant. Habitual truancy can lead to referral to a student attendance review board and the signing of an attendance contract.
On the other hand, chronic absenteeism is when a student misses 10% or more of the school year, regardless of whether the absences are excused or unexcused. If a student’s absences are mostly excused, they are more likely to be labeled as chronically absent. If the absences are unexcused, the student may be considered truant.
**Implications of Absence Labels**
The labels of chronic absenteeism and chronic truancy have significant implications for students and their families. Chronic truancy, in particular, can result in referral to the district attorney’s office, where parents may face fines or even jail time. Chronic absenteeism, while still a serious issue, does not typically involve legal consequences for parents.
**Interventions and Support**
Both chronic absenteeism and chronic truancy trigger interventions from schools, which are meant to support students and address the underlying reasons for their absences. Schools are required to check in with students who are missing classes and offer support to help them attend regularly. However, if interventions do not effectively address the issue, only truancy involves potential legal consequences.
**Understanding Excused Absences**
California law provides a list of over a dozen reasons for excusing an absence, including illness, quarantine, medical appointments, funeral services, jury duty, and cultural events. Schools may also have the discretion to excuse absences based on individual circumstances, such as transportation issues or unstable access to healthcare.
**Addressing Disparities**
Certain demographics, such as Black, Native American, Latino, and Pacific Islander students, are more likely to have unexcused absences, regardless of socioeconomic status. A 2023 PACE report highlighted these disparities in unexcused absences across California schools, showing that socioeconomically advantaged students were less likely to have unexcused absences.
**The Impact of Absences on Students**
Loss of instructional time due to chronic absenteeism or chronic truancy can have detrimental effects on students’ academic and personal development. Education experts agree that regular attendance is crucial for student success, and absences can hinder their progress in school. Understanding the difference between chronic absenteeism and chronic truancy is essential for addressing the root causes of absences and providing appropriate support to students and their families.
**Conclusion**
In conclusion, chronic absenteeism and chronic truancy are complex issues that require a nuanced understanding of the factors that contribute to student absences. By recognizing the differences between these two labels and the implications they carry, schools can better support students and work towards improving attendance rates. Addressing disparities in absences among different student populations is also crucial for creating a more equitable education system that ensures all students have the opportunity to succeed.
