A newly formed state task force is set on tackling chronic absenteeism within New Jersey schools.

The 17-member panel will report to the governor on barriers that may be keeping students from going to school, along with misconceptions about missing class.

That panel must also offer recommendations on how to fix the problem of chronic absenteeism, which is defined by a student missing 10% of a school year.

The Union Township school district is already making headway in addressing chronic absenteeism.

It turned away from sending letters and making phone calls to parents in favor of face-to-face meetings about what’s causing a student to miss days - often telling parents it’s not acceptable to miss 10 days of school.

“What we’re really trying to do is get parents to understand how important coming to school is. We noticed that even if a student is absent six days out of the year, excused or unexcused, it has a large effect on their academic achievements,” said Dr. Jose Rodriguez, assistant superintendent.

Union administrators say they’re finding that too often parents are also taking extended vacations when students should be in class.

The state task force will have a year to complete its full report on absenteeism.

That panel will report directly to the governor of New Jersey.