Regular school attendance is an essential part of a student's learning and vital to graduating with a good education. Students who regularly miss school may be jeopardizing their futures by failing behind in academics and missing important socialization. Chronic absenteeism is strongly associated with dropping out of school, which can limit potential earning opportunities in the future. In accordance with SC state law, all children are required to attend a public or private school or kindergarten beginning at age 5 and continuing until their 17th birthday. Parents/guardians have a legal responsibility of sending their children to school. The school year consists of 180 school days. Students must attend 42 days of each 45-day course, 85 days of each 90-day semester course, and 170 days of each 180-day year course to receive credit. A child, ages 6 to 17, meets the definition of truant when the child has 3 consecutive unlawful absences or a total of 5 unlawful absences. A chronically absent student is a child, in any grade K-12, who misses 50% or more of the instructional day for any reason for 10% (or more) of the enrollment period (18 or more days). Efforts will be made by HSAP staff to work with parents and students to correct any attendance problems. This may include phone calls, an intervention plan, and/or referral to AIM. However, if efforts made have failed, it must be reported to family court and DSS. If you have any concerns regarding school attendance or want more information, please reach out to HSAP staff or visit the Attendance Works website.