A bill passed by state lawmakers impacts school attendance this fall. Principals will make “meaningful contact” with students’ parents or guardians after three total unexcused absences during the school year, and that could mean a phone call, video conference, home visit or contact online. If there are ten unexcused absences, a school could file a formal complaint in court. Things like illnesses, doctor visits, and family emergencies are excused absences. Any absence that does not fit the definition of an excused would fall under the unexcused category under the new policy, which went into effect on July 1, 2024.