AUGUST 2025 Chronic absenteeism remains an urgent issue statewide and nationally. To more effectively address this problem, state law will shift from focusing on unexcused absences to supporting early intervention for students at risk of becoming chronically absent beginning September 30, 2025.

DEFINITIONS

REMOVED: EXCESSIVELY ABSENT This definition is no longer in Ohio Revised Code, including the requirement to notify families when students missed 38 hours in a month or 65 hours in a year of unexcused or nonmedically excused absences. Differentiating between excused and medically excused absences is no longer necessary as all absences count toward chronic absenteeism.

ADDED: CHRONICALLY ABSENT Ohio law defines “chronically absent” as missing at least ten percent of the minimum number of hours required in the school year under section 3313.48 of the Revised Code for the school a student attends. This definition allows for an appropriate timeline for early intervention with students at risk of becoming chronically absent.