IPS Attendance Policy

The new Indiana State Attendance Law requires schools to alert parents and guardians of a student’s unexcused absences at both five (5) and 10 days before legal intervention by the Marion County Prosecutor’s office. According to the new law, habitual student truancy may result in a Class B misdemeanor of a Level 6 felony charge for parents/guardians.

For more information and resources, go to the IPS Student Attendance Overview.

Absence Reporting Procedures

When a student is absent from school, the following procedure must be followed:

1. It is expected that a parent or guardian call the attendance line (317-693-5309) before 10:00 a.m. of the day the absence occurs to notify the school of the absence. The following should be included during the phone call:
   • The student’s name (first, middle, and last) and grade (Please include the correct spelling of the name.).
   • The name of the person making the call and the relationship to the student.
   • The reason for the absence.
   • The date(s) of the absence(s) and periods if not the entire day.
   • A telephone number so the call can be verified.
2. If a parent does not have access to a phone, a note from the parent/legal guardian will be accepted on the day the student returns to school. If the absence is due to a medical, dental, or other professional appointment, a note of verification from the place of business is required. The note should include the date, time, and length of the appointment on professional letterhead with phone number and address.
3. All phone calls and verification notes must be received by the Attendance Office within 72 hours of the student’s return to school for the absence to be excused. If a note or phone call is NOT received within 72 hours, the absence will be considered UNEXCUSED. The day of return is the first 24 hours. The attendance voicemail is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is the responsibility of the student and parents to report absences to the school promptly.