Engaging ROE #17 Truancy Intervention Support Services
Illinois truancy law applies to students who are subject to compulsory school between the ages of 6 (on or before September 1) and 17.
Students who miss 5% or more of the prior 180 regular school days without valid cause are considered chronically truant. Districts with students who are chronically truant and between the ages of 6 and 17 can choose to request assistance from ROE #17 Truancy Intervention Support Services, once all school-level interventions have been exhausted (see below). We offer a team of Truancy Specialists who will support your outreach efforts with students and families.
Students who miss more than 1% but less than 5% of the prior 180 regular school days without valid cause are classified as truant. Students who miss 10% or more of the prior 180 regular school days for any reason are classified as chronically absent. Students who are truant or chronically absent will be offered support services and interventions aimed at removing barriers and building a foundation for continuous, successful attendance by their individual school districts.
School districts can click here to follow this link to access a collection of ROE #17 truancy resources, including flyers for parents, attendance letter templates, and checklists to ensure interventions have been effectively attempted.
Truancy Request for Assistance
When a student between the ages of 6 and 17 is absent without valid cause for 5% or more of the past 180 days of school (chronic truant), the school may submit a Truancy Request for Assistance.
Click this link to submit a Truancy Request for Assistance
When submitting the Request for Assistance, schools must document at least three attempted interventions to improve student attendance.
- Letters mailed and emailed to parent(s)/guardian(s) - required copies
- Student conference, counselor conference, administrator conference
- Home visit
- Community referrals
- For high school Requests for Assistance, schools must evaluate the student’s potential to achieve graduation requirements with improved attendance.
- Extenuating circumstances may disqualify referral(s) to ROE #17, including excessive tardiness.
ROE Truancy Specialists
After the Request for Assistance Form has been submitted:
- The Truancy Coordinator will contact the school to ensure all relevant information has been received and to confirm the Request for Assistance.
- A Truancy Specialist will be assigned to the request.
- The Truancy Specialist will generate an ROE #17 official truancy notice, sent via US mail and email. The school will receive an email copy of the notice.
- If improvement is not observed within 3-7 days, the parent will receive one additional truancy notice after 3-7 days, typically sent via email.
- A home visit may be conducted by the Truancy Specialist, if families cannot be reached (no successful phone calls or texts, and mail and/or email have been returned).
- Attendance will be reported and assessed regularly, in partnership with the referring school building’s staff (registrar, attendance clerk, MTSS lead, etc.).
After these notifications, at least one roundtable meeting will be held that brings together the assigned ROE Attendance Specialist, parent(s)/guardian(s), student, administrator(s), counselor(s), and other relevant supports. The meeting is intended to be collaborative and supportive, providing an opportunity to review what has already been tried, listen to the student and family’s perspective and identify next steps together. The student and parent(s) will then be invited to sign a recommendation form that clearly outlines the agreed-upon supports, expectations and next steps moving forward.
Truancy Hearing
Within 45 days after submitting a Truancy Request for Assistance - if attendance has not improved, communication has not been consistent, or the recommendations have not been followed - the ROE Attendance Specialist may proceed to schedule a Truancy Hearing in McLean, Livingston and Logan Counties. This step is intended to address ongoing barriers to attendance. Hearings are typically scheduled monthly. Families will receive an official notice, sent via US mail and email, advising them of the date, time, and location.
At least one designated school staff member (e.g., principal, assistant principal, special education director, or dean) is expected to attend the hearing to ensure the student and family are supported. They will share the interventions that have been provided or explored, offer helpful context to the Truancy Review Board, and collaborate on next steps to support improved attendance.
In DeWitt County, families may have a petition filed against them with the DeWitt County State’s Attorney who may initiate juvenile court proceedings or actions against parent(s)/guardian(s).
Truancy Coordinator
Kayla Arnolts
[email protected]
P: 309-888-5120, ext. 1222