Section 20-19-3-12.2 - Reduction in absenteeism; policy priority; resources and guidance(a) The department shall make reduction of absenteeism in schools a policy priority and provide assistance and guidance to school corporations and schools in:(1) identifying contributing factors of absenteeism; and(2) developing chronic absence reduction plans that school corporations may elect to include as a component of the school improvement plans required under IC 20-31-5.(b) The department shall provide resources and guidance to school corporations concerning evidence based practices and effective strategies that reduce absenteeism in schools. However, the department may not mandate a particular policy within a chronic absence reduction plan adopted by a school corporation or school.Amended by P.L. 233-2015, SEC. 37, eff. 7/1/2015.Added by P.L. 246-2013, SEC. 4, eff. 7/1/2013.