SB 1387
An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in pupils and attendance, further providing for attendance policy at charter, regional charter and cyber charter schools, for excuses from attending school, for procedure when child is truant, for procedure by school when child habitually truant and for penalties for violating compulsory school attendance requirements.
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill amends Pennsylvania’s Public School Code to clarify attendance policies, particularly for charter, regional charter, and cyber charter schools. It outlines procedures for excusing absences, handling habitual truancy, and reporting attendance records. Specifically, it details how cyber charter schools must track student attendance, including synchronous and asynchronous instruction, and establishes a process for appealing attendance determinations. The bill also addresses the reporting of unexcused absences to the Department of Education.
Key provisions
- Cyber charter schools must include specific attendance policies regarding synchronous and asynchronous instruction tracking.
- Cyber charter schools cannot alter attendance records without correction.
- Schools must notify parents of unexcused absences within 10 school days.
- Boards of school directors cannot assign unexcused absences for lack of transportation or common carrier delays unless providing free transportation.
- A process for appealing attendance determination is established.
- Schools must refer habitually truant students to attendance improvement programs or the county children and youth agency.
- Cyber charter schools must report unexcused absences to the Department of Education monthly.
- The bill clarifies that a child cannot transfer to a cyber charter school if habitually truant unless a judge determines it’s in their best interest.
Who is affected
- Students in Pennsylvania public schools (including charter, regional charter, and cyber charter schools)
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