The bill amends section 1003.26 of the Florida Statutes to enhance the enforcement of school attendance by requiring a student's primary teacher to report chronic absenteeism to the principal. Specifically, if a student has five unexcused absences or absences with unknown reasons within a month, or ten such absences within a 90-day period, the teacher must notify the principal. Additionally, if a student is absent for 10% of school days within the first 45 days of the school year, this also qualifies as chronic absenteeism that must be reported. The principal is then tasked with referring the case to the school's child study team to assess if a pattern of truancy is developing.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the State Board of Education to create guidelines for school districts regarding student absences, which will include policies for determining and accounting for excused and unexcused absences. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2025. The changes aim to promote better attendance habits among students, thereby improving their academic performance.

Statutes affected:
S 938 Filed: 1003.26