Legal Definitions - attendance officer

An attendance officer, also known as a truancy officer, is a government official who is responsible for enforcing laws that require minors of a certain age (usually 16 and under) to attend school regularly. Their primary role is to ensure that students attend school regularly and do not miss classes without a valid reason.

• An attendance officer may visit the homes of students who have been absent from school without a valid reason to investigate the cause of their absence.
• They may also work with school administrators to develop strategies to improve attendance rates and reduce truancy.
• If a student continues to miss school without a valid reason, the attendance officer may take legal action against the student and their parents or guardians.

These examples illustrate how an attendance officer works to ensure that students attend school regularly and receive the education they need to succeed in life.