Kansas Truancy Law: What Parents & Students Need to Know

Yes, Kansas has a compulsory attendance (truancy) law. It's in **K.S.A. 72-3120 et seq.** Here's the practical breakdown.

Who Must Attend

• Ages 7–18 (inclusive).
• Exceptions: Graduated (GED/diploma), 16–17 with court-approved alternative plan, religious exemption (Amish, etc.), physical/mental inability (doctor-certified).

What Counts as Truancy

• 3 consecutive unexcused absences, OR
• 5 unexcused absences in a semester, OR
• 7 unexcused absences in a school year.
• *Excused:* illness (doc if >3 days), medical appointment, funeral, religious observance, court, school activity, admin-approved.

Process When Truancy Triggered

1. School notifies parent/guardian (written).
2. School reports to **County/District Attorney** (or designated truancy officer).
3. **Meeting** scheduled: school, parent, student, DA — develop **attendance plan**.
4. If plan fails → **Court petition** (Child in Need of Care / CINC) or **criminal charge** against parent (Class B misdemeanor: up to 6 mo jail, $1,000 fine).
5. Student (12+) can also be charged (status offense).

Parent Defenses

• Made **reasonable efforts** to compel attendance.
• Child's **disability/health** prevents attendance (IEP/504).
• School **failed to follow** notification/intervention steps.

Recent Changes (2022–2023)

• Emphasis on **intervention over punishment** — more counseling, family support referrals.
• Virtual/hybrid attendance counted per district policy.
• Chronic absenteeism (>10% days) tracked separately for federal reporting.

Resources

• KSDE (KS Dept of Education): ksde.org → Attendance & Truancy.
• Local District: Student services / truancy officer.
• Legal Aid: Kansas Legal Services (1-800-723-6953).

Bottom line: **School matters. The law has teeth. But the goal is getting kids back in class—not court.**