NEW ATTENDANCE POLICY

OHIO STUDENTS ARE HEADED BACK TO CLASS WITH NEW ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS THIS YEAR. 
THE STATE NOW WANTS SCHOOLS TO IDENTIFY STUDENTS AT RISK OF CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM EARLIER, WHICH MEANS PARENTS MAY HEAR FROM THEIR CHILD'S SCHOOL SOONER. BOTH EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED ABSENCES NOW COUNT TOWARD CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM UNDER THE NEW RULES. SCHOOLS MUST NOW NOTIFY FAMILIES WHEN A STUDENT MISSES 5% OF THE REQUIRED CLASSROOM HOURS AND A STUDENT CAN BE CONSIDERED CHRONICALLY ABSENT AFTER MISSING 10% OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. THE GOAL IS TO CATCH ATTENDANCE PROBLEMS EARLY AND CONNECT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WITH SUPPORT BEFORE ABSENCES ADD UP.