How to report kids not going to school?

The primary way to report concerns about a child not attending school is to contact their local school district.

Understanding Compulsory Education and Reporting Absences

Every state in the United States has laws requiring children to attend school, typically from a certain age until a specified graduation age or until a certain grade level is completed. This is known as compulsory school attendance. When a child is not attending school as required by law, it can be a serious concern for their education, development, and overall well-being. Individuals who have concerns about a child's consistent absence from school can take action to report these situations.

Where to Report Your Concerns

If you are concerned about a child not going to school, you should report your concerns directly to the child's local school district. The school district is the entity responsible for ensuring that children are enrolled in school and adhere to attendance requirements.

To find the correct contact information:

• Visit the school district's official website: Look for sections like "Student Services," "Attendance," "Truancy," or "Community Concerns."
• Call the district's main office: Ask to be directed to the attendance office or the department responsible for student enrollment and truancy.
• Contact a specific school: If you know which school the child should be attending, you can sometimes report concerns directly to the school administration, who will then involve the district if necessary.

What Information to Provide When Reporting

When you report your concerns, providing as much specific and factual information as possible can help the school district investigate effectively.

Consider including:

• Child's Name: If known.
• Child's Address: If known, or a general location if the exact address is unknown.
• Specific Observations: Details about when and how often you've observed the child not attending school (e.g., "I see them at home every weekday morning," or "They haven't been on the school bus for weeks").
• Any Other Relevant Concerns: While focusing on attendance, you may include other observations if they seem related to the child's well-being (e.g., "They appear unsupervised during school hours").
• Your Contact Information: You can often report anonymously, but providing your contact information may allow the district to follow up for clarification if needed. Be sure to ask about their policy on anonymity if that is a concern.

The School District's Authority and Responsibilities

The local school district plays a crucial role in upholding compulsory education laws. They have the final authority over exemptions from compulsory school attendance, which means they are the ones who determine if a child is legally excused from attending traditional school (e.g., through homeschooling regulations or other specific circumstances).

Their responsibilities include:

• Monitoring Enrollment: Ensuring all school-aged children within their jurisdiction are accounted for.
• Addressing Unexcused Absences: Investigating consistent absences and truancy.
• Intervention and Support: Working with families to resolve attendance issues, which may involve truancy officers, counseling, or connecting families with support services.
• Legal Action: In severe or persistent cases, school districts may pursue legal action against parents or guardians for violating compulsory attendance laws.

What to Expect After Reporting

Once a report is made, the school district will typically initiate an investigation. This may involve:

• Contacting the family: The district might reach out to the parents or guardians to discuss the child's attendance.
• Home visits: A truancy officer or school social worker might conduct a home visit.
• Developing an attendance plan: Working with the family to create a plan to improve attendance.
• Providing resources: Offering support services to address underlying issues contributing to non-attendance.

The process can vary based on state laws and district policies, but the goal is generally to ensure the child receives the education they are legally entitled to.

Reporting Steps Summary

For quick reference, here's a summary of the general steps to report concerns about a child not attending school: