PA Act 47 cuts unexcused absence limit nearly in half
We all know the drill: a child wakes up with a fever, stays home, and in the chaos of returning to school, we sometimes forget to send in the doctor’s note or the excuse email. In the past, there was a little more wiggle room before the “truancy” label was applied.
However, Dr. Lee’s update highlights a significant change with Pennsylvania Act 47 of 2025. The state has decided to tighten the reins on attendance significantly. The window for “unexcused” or “unlawful” absences before the district is required to take official action has been nearly cut in half.
The Details
Here is exactly what changed in the rulebook:
- The “6-Day” Rule: Previously, the threshold for truancy concerns was 10 days of unexcused absences. That limit has now been dropped to just 6 days. Once a student hits that sixth unexcused day, official truancy procedures kick in.
- Cyber Charter Restriction: If a student hits this truancy limit, parents can no longer simply transfer them to a Cyber Charter School to avoid the issue. Under the new law, a transfer for a truant student now requires a court order.
- Support is Available: The district emphasized that they want to help, not punish. They are committed to providing early interventions and resources to help families get students to school before hitting that 6-day mark.
Why It Matters
Six days is essentially just over one school week. If you take a family trip without approval or forget to send in notes for a lingering flu, you could hit the truancy threshold much faster than in previous years.
The Bottom Line
- Send the Note Immediately: Do not wait. If your child is out, email the attendance office or send the note the very next morning.
- Check Your Portal: Log in to the parent portal now to see if you have any outstanding unexcused absences from earlier in the year that need clearing up.
- Communicate Early: If you know your student will be out for a valid reason, talk to the school before it happens so it doesn’t get flagged as unlawful.
