School Attendance
Chapter 76, section 1 of the Massachusetts General Laws states that all children between the ages of six and sixteen must attend school. It is the parents or guardians to ensure that their children attend school.
Parental Responsibility
Parents or guardians are legally responsible for ensuring that a child under their control attends school daily. It is a crime for a responsible parent or guardian not to cause such a child to attend school. If a child fails to attend school for seven day sessions or fourteen half day sessions within any six month period, school administrators may file a criminal complaint in court against the responsible parent/guardian.
Notification and Contact Information
Chapter 76, section 1A of the Massachusetts General Laws states that parents/guardians must be provided each year with the instructions for calling a designated phone number at a designated time to inform the school of the absence of a student and the reason for the absence. Those telephone numbers can be found in the school's Student-Parent Handbook. In addition, parents/guardians must provide the school with a home, work or other emergency telephone number so that they may be contacted during the school day so the school may call and inquire about said absence.
What is a CRA (Child Requiring Assistance) Application?
A “CRA” (Child Requiring Assistance) application may be filed in court by a school district if a school-aged child is “habitually truant". That means a child willfully fails to attend school for more than eight school days in a quarter, or who repeatedly fails to obey the lawful and reasonable regulations of his or her school. The Court’s authority pursuant to a CRA petition includes the power to place the child in the custody of the state agency known as the Department of Children and Families.
What is a 51A?
A 51A is a report of suspected child abuse or neglect that is filed with the Department of Children and Families. Under Chapter 119, section 51A of the Massachusetts General Laws, a report can be filed on behalf of a child under the age of eighteen for educational neglect if a child is not attending school on a regular basis. Parents or guardians are legally responsible for ensuring that a child under their control attends school.
