Truancy

School attendance is mandatory in the state of Minnesota. It is important for children to acquire the necessary skills to become successful adults.

Studies show a link between truancy and criminal activity, which can have a negative ripple effect on a person's future opportunities. By addressing truancy, we can improve the lives of our children and give them a chance to choose a better path.

The Anoka County Attorney’s Office Truancy Intervention Program (TIP) is designed to provide children and families with resources and information to address issues underlying truancy. The program utilizes multiple phases with the aim of keeping the child out of the court system.

The success of the truancy program relies on collaboration between the County Attorney’s Office, school officials, law enforcement, corrections and social services, as well as families.

The ultimate goal is to get kids off the streets, out of juvenile court, and back in school. It gives kids a better chance at life and benefits all of us as a community.

Program overview
TIP meetings
Attendance laws
For families
For schools

At three unexcused absences, schools are required to send a three-day notification letter home regarding truancy. The school is required to make efforts to resolve attendance issues with the family. At six unexcused absences, the school is required to submit a referral to the Anoka County Attorney's Office.
When the school reports to the Attorney's Office at six unexcused absences, each truancy referral will be reviewed to determine if a student is eligible for the intervention program. If eligible, the Attorney's Office will send a letter to parent(s) inviting them and their student to attend a Truancy Intervention Program (TIP) meeting. At this meeting, an Attorney's Office representative will explain attendance laws and consequences of continued unexcused absences and the benefit of education.
If unexcused absences continue after the TIP meeting, the school is required to make a second report to the Attorney's Office. A minimum of nine unexcused absences is required for the student to be referred to Anoka County Juvenile Corrections. Corrections will send a letter to parent(s) notifying that Corrections is now monitoring the student’s attendance. If unexcused absences continue, Corrections will send a letter inviting the parent(s) and child to attend a Diversion Hearing. Historically, a probation officer, student, parent(s) and school official attend this hearing. An evaluation is completed, and goals are set to address the unexcused absences. At this time, the student is under a signed contract and the probation officer will have contact with the school to monitor attendance.
Juvenile Corrections will refer a student back to the Attorney's Office for petition if unexcused absences continue after the diversion hearing.
At this time, the Attorney's Office will file a petition with the courts. The student must have a minimum of 14 unexcused absences to be formally petitioned. Once a student is petitioned, parent(s) will receive a Notice of Hearing notifying of their child's court date.