Truancy/Law Statement

Arizona State law (A.R.S. 15-803) states that it is unlawful for any child between the ages of six and sixteen to fail attend school during the hours that school is in session, unless there is a valid excuse. Any excused absence must be accompanied by medical documentation, or associated with bereavement, court, or an absence approved by the school administrator or school nurse. The student will be considered truant in the absence of a good reason for not attending school. If a parent fails to ensure that the child attends school, the law states that he/she is guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor. When the parent does not provide a valid excuse for the child’s absence the school attendance officer may cite the student, parent, or custodian directly into court for violation of truancy law.