The truancy division of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office received 1,747 referrals last year from parish schools about students with too many unexcused absences.
With the new school year approaching, officials say truancy awareness will be critical to keep kids in the classroom.
Sgt. Earl Henry said truancy is when a child enrolled in the school system has five unexcused absences within a semester. The law goes into effect at age 7 and lasts until a child turns 18.
Henry said the school will notify the truancy division of OPSO if a student has four unexcused absences so deputies can try and contact the student and family avoid potentially committing truancy.
In most cases of truancy, Henry says the parents are to blame.
Photo courtesy http://enterprisees.schools.pwcs.edu/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/494203/Image/Clip%20Art/attendance_2.jpg