Definition of truancy
A “habitual truant" could be:
- An elementary student under age 16 who is absent from attendance at school without lawful excuses for seven school days per school year or one more class periods on seven school days per school year.
- A middle school, junior high or high school student under age 16 who is absent from attendance at school without lawful excuses for seven school days per school year or one more class periods on seven days per school year.
- A 16-year-old who is absent from attendance at school without lawful excuses for seven school days per school year or one more class period on seven school days per school year and who has not lawfully withdrawn from school with their parent’s permission.
For children in kindergarten through age 11
Dakota County Child Protection Services handles all truancy cases for children in kindergarten through age 11.
Anytime a child is not in school it is considered an absence. The school has the right to excuse or unexcuse the reason for an absence within their attendance policy. Schools are required to notify parents when a child has had three unexcused absences.
When a child has reached seven unexcused absences, the school sends an Educational Neglect Reporting Form to Dakota County Children and Family Services. A meeting with the child, parent, school staff and County social worker will be scheduled to discuss the school attendance, academic progress, and address any barriers that contribute to poor school attendance.
To make an Educational Neglect Referral, school staff complete an 
Educational Neglect Reporting Form and send it to Children and Family Services Intake as directed on the form.
For children ages 12-17
The Dakota County Truancy Reduction Program handles all truancy cases for children ages 12-16.
When a child ages 12-16 reaches seven or more unexcused absences, it is considered truancy. The school is required to make a referral to the Truancy Reduction Program. Schools are required to notify parents when a child has three unexcused absences.
Schools schedule a meeting with the child and parent to discuss the child’s school attendance and academic performance prior to a child reaching seven unexcused absences.
To make a Truancy Referral, school staff log on to the secure referral system per school administrative policies. Make a Truancy Referral.