A system and method for tracking attendance and detecting truancy is disclosed. More specifically, a method for standardized tracking of attendance records throughout a school district and automated detection of unacceptable truancy is disclosed. The present system and method is capable of taking non-uniform school attendance records, standardizing them into a uniform format, combining them in a single location, tracking absences, as defined by school district policy, on a daily basis, and automatically providing notification of unacceptable truancy. The system and method is also capable of automatically notifying school officials when a response is required, and in some instances, automatically generating the appropriate response on behalf of the school district. The system and method is applicable to a wide variety of instructional environments including public and private school systems and institutions of higher learning.