This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Truancy and School Attendance issues in Pennsylvania.
Addressing Attendance Barriers (‘Truancy’) & School Attendance in Pennsylvania
All students in Pennsylvania must attend school no later than age 6 until age 18 or graduation, whichever occurs sooner. These “compulsory school ages” went into effect during the 2020-2021 school year. Under the law, all students must attend school until their 18th birthday or graduation, whichever is sooner, unless they qualify for a limited exception.
The law uses the term person(s) in “parental relation to the child” to describe the adults in a child’s life who may be held legally responsible for making sure a child attends school. The person(s) “in parental relation to the child” — usually the child’s parents or parent, but sometimes a guardian or relative — are legally responsible for making sure that the child attends school.
Once a child turns 15, the school may take your child to court if they are not attending school as required by law. Students who are 15 or older may face a range of long-lasting consequences such as fines, community service, and suspension of their driver’s license. Continue Reading Full Resource. . .
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Addressing Attendance Barriers (‘Truancy’) & School Attendance in Pennsylvania – Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) from Education Law Center - Pennsylvania regarding Truancy and School Attendance. Under Pennsylvania law, all students must attend school until their 18th birthday or graduation, whichever is sooner, unless they qualify for a limited exception. (August 2024)
2025-26 Back to School Guide for Pennsylvania Public School Students, Families, and Advocates
The Education Law Center-PA (ELC-PA) has updated its annual “Back to School Guide” with new publications and updated information on multiple education topics to help students, families, and child-serving professionals.
Pennsylvania School Attendance Improvement and Truancy Reduction Toolkit
The Pennsylvania School Attendance Improvement and Truancy Reduction Toolkit is designed to provide resources and strategies for educators, child welfare professionals and court personnel to effectively address truancy in their local community. The toolkit is web-based in order to enable for updates and changes in the future as required by any changes in the School Code.
School Attendance and Truancy
Information on compulsory school attendance from the Erie County Bar Association. (August 2018)
Truancy Intervention and Prevention Services (TIPS) - Philadelphia
Information from the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) Education Support Center (ESC) on its Truancy Intervention and Prevention Services (TIPS). If your child is truant, support is available through Truancy Intervention and Prevention Services (TIPS) to help improve their school attendance. TIPS works collaboratively with its providers to identify and resolve barriers to attendance. This approach aims to ensure regular attendance and prevent children from formally entering the child welfare system.
Request for Translation and Interpretation Services
Federal civil rights laws require schools to provide free language services for multilingual parents or caregivers whose first language is not English. This form and checklist includes questions the parent or caregiver can ask about the types of language services available and when the school can provide language services. By asking these questions, the parent or caregiver will learn about the process to request language services and the point of contact at the school responsible for providing interpretation and/or translation. This self-advocacy tool is available for general education in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Nepali. This self-advocacy tool is available for special education in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Nepali.
School Attendance and Truancy
Information on compulsory school attendance from the Erie County Bar Association. (August 2018)
Addressing Attendance Barriers (‘Truancy’) & School Attendance in Pennsylvania – Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) from Education Law Center - Pennsylvania regarding Truancy and School Attendance. Under Pennsylvania law, all students must attend school until their 18th birthday or graduation, whichever is sooner, unless they qualify for a limited exception. (August 2024)
2025-26 Back to School Guide for Pennsylvania Public School Students, Families, and Advocates
The Education Law Center-PA (ELC-PA) has updated its annual “Back to School Guide” with new publications and updated information on multiple education topics to help students, families, and child-serving professionals.
Request for Translation and Interpretation Services
Federal civil rights laws require schools to provide free language services for multilingual parents or caregivers whose first language is not English. This form and checklist includes questions the parent or caregiver can ask about the types of language services available and when the school can provide language services. By asking these questions, the parent or caregiver will learn about the process to request language services and the point of contact at the school responsible for providing interpretation and/or translation. This self-advocacy tool is available for general education in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Nepali. This self-advocacy tool is available for special education in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Nepali.
Education of Students Served by Pennsylvania County Children and Youth Agencies
The Pennsylvania (PA) Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF), of the PA Department of Human Services, oversees County Children and Youth Agencies (CCYAs). CCYA staff and contracted private providers are responsible to make certain that the educational needs of the children and youth that they serve are met by collaborating with schools, children, youth, and families. This explains how that oversight works.
Pennsylvania School Attendance Improvement and Truancy Reduction Toolkit
The Pennsylvania School Attendance Improvement and Truancy Reduction Toolkit is designed to provide resources and strategies for educators, child welfare professionals and court personnel to effectively address truancy in their local community. The toolkit is web-based in order to enable for updates and changes in the future as required by any changes in the School Code.
Truancy Intervention and Prevention Services (TIPS) - Philadelphia
Information from the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) Education Support Center (ESC) on its Truancy Intervention and Prevention Services (TIPS). If your child is truant, support is available through Truancy Intervention and Prevention Services (TIPS) to help improve their school attendance. TIPS works collaboratively with its providers to identify and resolve barriers to attendance. This approach aims to ensure regular attendance and prevent children from formally entering the child welfare system.