TRUANCY – Know Your Rights

RI truancy laws apply to any child who is enrolled in kindergarten or between the ages of 6 (as of September 1 of the school year) and 18. The truancy law requires children to “regularly attend” school “during all the days and hours” when school is in session.  There are some exceptions to this requirement. For example, the law states that a child is not “truant” when the absences are due to a “physical or mental condition” that made attendance “inexpedient or impracticable.” In addition, a child is not “truant” if the child is attending a home-school program that has been approved by the school committee.

The Rhode Island ACLU provides info and answers to frequently asked questions about the rights of students and legal guardians as they relate to Truancy Court in RI.

For more information, click HERE to learn about RI truancy laws.