Truancy vs. Chronic Absenteeism

Truancy is the legal term for unexcused absences.  A Tennessee student is considered truant at 5 unexcused absences and MAY be subject to legal intervention (after Tier process).

Chronic Absenteeism is missing school for ANY reason (excused, unexcused, suspended/expelled).  Commonly defined as missing 10% or more of the instructional days, the threshold at which research indicated most students are at risk of negative academic and social consequences.