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school days per school year or one more class period on seven school days per school year and who has not lawfully withdrawn from school with their parent’s permission.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
Every child in Minnesota between the ages of 7 and 17 must enroll in schooling. Dakota County Social Services provides educational support for children through age 11. Due to changes in state law, counties can respond to these reports with a child welfare outreach to families.
Any time a child is not in school, it is recorded as an absence. Schools have the authority to determine whether an absence is excused or unexcused based on their policies. Per state guidance, schools must notify parents when a child has three unexcused absences.
When a child reaches seven unexcused absences, the school can submit a referral for educational support to Dakota County Children and Family Services. This referral must include efforts attempted by the school to resolve the attendance issue. This includes documentation of letters, phone calls and in-person contacts with parents/guardians.
Responses from the county within child welfare can involve the following:
- Outreach to the family
- Coordination with school staff
- School meetings
- Service coordination
- Ongoing monitoring of school attendance
- And more
To make an Educational Neglect Referral, school staff complete an 
Educational Neglect Reporting Form and send it to Children and Family Services Intake.
For children ages 12-16
The Dakota County Truancy Reduction Program handles all truancy cases for children ages 12-16.
When a child age 12-16 reaches seven or more unexcused absences, it is considered truancy. The school must make a referral to the Truancy Reduction Program. Schools must 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.