Daily, punctual attendance is an integral part of the learning experience. The education that goes on in the classroom builds from day to day and absences can cause disruption in the educational progress of the absent student. Irregular attendance or tardiness by students not only limits their own studies, but also interferes with the progress of those students who are regular and prompt in attendance. Attendance is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation and communication among students, parents and the school.
This regulation is divided into two sections: Section I addresses legal requirements related to chronic absenteeism and truancy and Section II addresses additional academic, disciplinary and extracurricular consequences students face due to chronic absenteeism and truancy. It is important for students to recognize that chronic absenteeism and truancy impacts all these facets of their educational experience.
SECTION I – Legal Requirements
Chronic Absenteeism
When a student meets the threshold to be considered chronically absent, the school official will send notice by mail or e-mail to the county attorney where the district’s central office is located. The school official will also notify the student, or if a minor, the student’s parent, guardian or legal or actual custodian via certified mail that includes information related to the student’s absences from school and the policies and disciplinary processes associated with additional absences.
School Engagement Meeting
If a student is absent from school for at least fifteen percent of the 13.5 days in the grading period/semester, the school official will attempt to find the cause of the absences and start and participate in a school engagement meeting. All of the following individuals must participate in the school engagement meeting:
The student;
The student’s parent, guardian or legal or actual custodian if the student is an unemancipated minor; and
A school official.
The purpose of the meeting is to understand the reasons for the student’s absences and attempt to remove barriers to the student’s ongoing absences; and to create and sign an absenteeism prevention plan.
Absenteeism Prevention Plan
The absenteeism prevention plan will identify the causes of the student’s absences and the future responsibilities of each participant. The school official will contact the student and student’s parent/guardian at least once per week for the remainder of the school year to monitor the performance of the student and the student’s parent/guardian under the plan. If the student and student’s parent/guardian do not attend the meeting, do not enter into a plan or violate the terms of the plan, the school official will notify the county attorney.
SECTION II – Academic and Disciplinary Requirements
Students are required to be in attendance, pursuant to board policy, for 162 day per school year or 81 per semester unless their absences have been excused by the principal for illness (absences in excess of two consecutive days due to illness requires a doctor's note), family emergencies, doctor or dental appointment, recognized religious observances and school sponsored or approved activities. Reasonable excuses may also include family trips or vacations approved by the building principal if the student's work is finished in an appropriate timeframe determined by the principal or designee. Absences that do not fall within the categories listed above will be considered unexcused unless approved by the principal. Parents are expected to telephone the school office to report a student's absence prior to 9 a.m. on the day of the absence.
If a student accumulates 18 unexcused absences in a class per semester, he or she may lose credit for the class if the student was previously warned at 13.5 unexcused absences that two more may result in loss of credit. Prior to imposing the loss of credit in one or more classes, the principal will provide the student an opportunity for an informal hearing.
Reasonable excuses may also include family trips or vacations approved by the building principal if the student's work is finished in an appropriate timeframe determined by the principal or designee.
Students will remain in class until the principal makes a decision regarding loss or restoration of credit. Full credit is awarded to all assignments and tests submitted that meet the teacher's specifications until a decision regarding credit has been made.
If a student loses credit, this will be recorded in the student's record as an "AW" [administrative withdrawal], or a grade of an “F” as determined by the principal.
A student who loses credit due to excessive absences may be reassigned to another class or location.
The principal will make reasonable efforts to advise and counsel and may impose discipline upon any student with unexcused absences.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 259A; 279.10-.11; ch. 299; 299A.
Cross Reference:
501 Student Attendance
601.1 School Calendar
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
Approved: 9-9-24 Reviewed: 11-11-24 Revised: 11-11-24
