Proposed bill would ban expulsion for missing school, study absenteeism: Report

Indiana lawmakers are considering House Bill 1201, which would prohibit schools from suspending or expelling students solely for chronic absenteeism or habitual truancy. The proposed legislation was discussed during an education committee meeting and aims to address the root causes of student absenteeism by mandating the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) to produce a detailed report on the issue, reported the Indianapolis Star.

The bill, introduced by House Education Committee Chair Rep. Robert Behning (R-Indianapolis), stems from concerns raised during an interim study committee held last year. It seeks to improve data collection on absenteeism and student discipline, create best practices for reducing absenteeism, and study suspension and expulsion practices. If enacted, the report must be submitted by November 1.

Support for the bill includes various education organizations such as the Indiana State Teachers Association and the Indiana School Social Workers Association. However, Cindy Long, representing the Indiana Association of School Principals, cautioned against fully removing the ability to suspend or expel students for absenteeism, citing potential classroom disruptions.

The bill also extends the timeframe for schools to hold attendance conferences from five to ten days and requires schools to use the state’s new attendance insights dashboard for intervention measures. A funding provision for the Indiana Next Generation High School Success Grant Program will likely be removed to focus solely on absenteeism and discipline topics.

Lawmakers hope this measure will improve student attendance and engagement, particularly as absenteeism rates remain a concern, especially in high schools.