LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. — There is a new program in Dearborn County schools this year to help combat truancy.
Indiana’s student absenteeism rate is among the highest in the country at about 40%.
Administrators told WCPO that the problem began during the pandemic and is still ongoing. Truancy numbers were so high, the issue caught the attention of state lawmakers.
The Indiana legislature passed Senate Bill 282 earlier this year, which requires districts to have a standardized truancy plan that clearly defines the actions taken when students are unexcused from class.
Dearborn County Circuit Court Judge Aaron Negangard is part of the collaboration working on the truancy issue.
“We have some very serious issues here locally where parents are having problems getting their children to school,” Negangard said.
Negangard said it’s important districts develop a plan while students are still young.
“What we’re hoping is with this program to intervene at …