1. (a) The department shall make reduction of absenteeism in schools a policy priority and provide assistance and guidance to school corporations and schools in:

   1. (1) identifying contributing factors of absenteeism; and
   2. (2) developing chronic absence reduction plans.

2. (b) The department shall:

   1. (1) create a list of best practices to; and

   2. (2) provide resources and guidance to school corporations concerning evidence based practices and effective strategies that;

      reduce absenteeism in schools. However, subject to section 12.4 of this chapter, the department may not mandate a particular policy within a chronic absence reduction plan adopted by a school corporation or school.

As added by P.L.246-2013, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.233-2015, SEC.37; P.L.208-2025, SEC.2; P.L.214-2025, SEC.22; P.L.23-2026, SEC.162.