Educational Neglect

Isanti County Family Services is the agency delegated for responding to reports of educational neglect. Isanti Count Probation is the agency delegated for responding for truancy reports.

Educational Neglect (Children Ages 11 & Under)

There are two criteria that must be met in determining a child has been subjected to educational neglect. The first is the number of missed classes or school days. The second is the efforts the school has made to work with the parents to address the problem. It is presumed that the cause for a child missing school of this age is the parent’s, guardian’s, or custodian’s failure to comply with the compulsory instruction laws, and the school has made appropriate efforts to resolve the child’s attendance problems.

Truancy (Children Ages 12 & Up)

It is presumed that the cause of the absence is due to the child’s intent to be absent from school.  To make a referral for truancy report for children age 12 and up, please see Isanti County Probation

Missed Number of Classes / Days

The following is the statute criteria regarding missed classes/days for children age 11 years and under in elementary and middle school:

  • Elementary School: A child must have missed seven days of school that are unexcused by the school.
  • Middle School: A youth must have missed one or more class periods that are unexcused by the school for seven school days.

Additional Criteria to be Met

Thorough completion of the referral form accompanied by a copy of the child’s attendance record and detailed documentation of how the absences have impacted the child’s academic performance is required.

  1. Documentation must clarify which absences are unexcused.  This is important as excused absences are not considered when determining if educational neglect has occurred.  Please include reasons for the unexcused absences.
  2. The school must have attempted at least two parent/child conferences prior to the referral. The results of the meetings (or attempts at scheduling meetings) must be documented. This includes documentation of what was discussed and what plan was developed to alleviate the attendance concern.
  3. All school resources should have been attempted prior to referral (i.e. school counselors or school social worker intervention, etc.)

How to Make a Report

Complete the Isanti County Educational Neglect Report (PDF) and send or fax it to Isanti County Family Services for educational neglect referrals.

Bullying

As a victim of bullying, a child may not attend school because of it. Please note, Isanti County Family Services will inquire about the status of the child being a victim of bullying.