• In Florida, missing too much school is a serious offense with consequences for both students and parents. A child aged 6-16 is legally required to attend school, and accumulating five unexcused absences in a month or 15 in a 90-day period triggers a mandatory investigation by the school, leading to potential involvement with truancy court, civil citations, parenting classes, community service, and even jail time for parents, and possible juvenile detention or loss of privileges for students.  

     

    What Florida Law Says

     

    • Compulsory Attendance: Children aged 6 to 16 are required by law to attend school regularly. 
    • Habitual Truant: A student is considered a "habitual truant" after accumulating 15 or more unexcused absences in any 90-day period. 
    • Investigative Threshold: A school must begin an investigation after a student has five unexcused absences in a single month or 15 in a 90-day period. 

     

    Consequences for Parents 

     

    If your child is habitually truant, you can face: 

    • Fines 
    • Mandatory parenting classes or counseling 
    • Community service requirements 
    • Court orders 
    • Potential jail time 
    • Revocation of driving privileges 
    • Loss of public assistance 

     

    Students can also face consequences such as: 

     

    • Being referred to a truancy court (State Attorney's Office)
    • Loss of privileges, such as driving privileges 
    • Court-ordered alternative classes or counseling 

    What to Do

     

    • Communicate with the School: Contact your child's school to discuss the absences and provide any valid excuses. 
    • Seek Support: If you're struggling to get your child to attend school, there are interventions available, and it may be helpful to seek support for your child's attendance.