This is a huge factor in excused/unexcused absences. When I was in High School I'd be out about 5 days a quarter... 20 days in a year! But, I was... ahead of the curve. So, I maintained a straight A average. In my senior year, the state came down heavy on local school districts because they didn't want to give them money per student when a sizable number of students weren't showing, or not showing up enough to pass. So, they said only 5 absences would be allowed! Well, about the 12th absence the school calls my house and I answer, "Yeah, I'm home sick." "OK." And I never heard from them again, even for absences 13 through 20. They certainly couldn't argue it was hurting my grades.
But, on the side of the state:
- They do have a valid concern that their education aid to local districts isn't being wasted.
- They have mandated all children receive an education. But, this can be in public, private, vocational, or home school (with proper oversight and testing). When children don't show up... they kinda have a good reason for wanting to know why.
- They need to stay on top of parents who don't have the resources to make sure their children are being educated, or, who don't value an education, or, are lazy. So, they have to have rules about showing up that apply equally to everyone.
- They also need to stay on top of children who may be abused or have gone missing. This is why there is the mandatory reporting of truancy to state agencies.
Also, in the U.S. there is a *huge* range of what is considered an excused absence. Some states may or may not define what can be excused, or leave it to local districts, who may leave it to local principals, who may leave it to the child's teacher, who may leave it to the parent to decide. And in my case, my parents left it to me to decide.
