TRUANCY

Unexcused absence or leaving school grounds without permission is defined as truancy. Four or more unexcused absences from school in any one month or ten unexcused absences in a year qualify a child as “truant”. Conn., Cen. State Section 10-198a. Such required procedures include the following: (1) holding a meeting with the parents; (2) coordinating services and referring such children to community agencies; (3) providing notification annually to parents of their obligations under the mandatory attendance laws; (4) obtaining a telephone number where parents can be contacted; and (5) providing notification to parents when their child does not arrive at school. The law requires the superintendent to file a “family with service needs” petition with the Superior Court if the parent or other person responsible for the education of a child fails to attend the meeting described in subparagraph (1) above or otherwise fail to cooperate with the school in attempting to solve the truancy problem.