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    Days absent – Days absent are simply (school defined) absences, and do not include behavioral suspensions or preapproved absences.  Days counted are cumulative.  A count is taken from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, not semester by               semester.

    Parents/guardian – Custodial parent or guardian the child currently resides with at the time of the truant behavior.

    Truancy – When a child is repeatedly absent from school without a valid excuse and a     parent, guardian, or other person in parental relation fails to send a child under his or her control to the public school or other school listed under MCL 380.1561, the child is truant.  The truancy statute also allows a petition to be filed in the event that the child repeatedly violates school rules or regulations.

    Complaint – A criminal petition, filed by school officials, indicating truant behavior by a child, child’s parent, or guardian.   The petition is forwarded to the county prosecutor for review and authorization.  If the petition is completed appropriately and the truancy protocol has been followed, the petition will be authorized and forwarded to the 50th Circuit Court Family Division or 91st District Court for disposition.
Last Modified on July 24, 2022