Student Absenteeism and Truancy Policy
WHD 147 Student Absenteeism & Truancy Policy
This policy applies to individuals who have custody or control of a child: (a) between the ages of six (on or before September 1) and 17 years (unless the child has graduated from high school), or (b) who is enrolled in any of grades kindergarten through 8 in the public school, regardless of age. Subject to specific requirements in State law, the following children are not required to attend public school: (1) any child attending a private school (including a home school), or parochial school; (2) any child who is physically or mentally unable to attend school, including a pregnant student experiencing medical complications as properly certified; (3) any child lawfully and necessarily employed; (4) any child over 12 and under 14 years of age while attending confirmation classes; (5) any child absent for religious reasons, including the observance of a religious holiday, participation in religious instruction, or because the tenets of the child’s religion forbid secular activity on a particular day, days, or time of day; and (6) any child 16 years of age or older who is lawfully employed and enrolled in a graduation-incentives program or alternative-learning-opportunities program as permitted by State law.
The parent/guardian of an enrolled student must authorize all absences from school and notify the school in advance or at the time of the student’s absence. A valid cause for absence includes: illness (including the student’s mental or behavioral health); attendance at a verified medical or therapeutic appointment; observance of a religious holiday; death in the immediate family or family emergency; other situations beyond the student’s control, as determined by the Board of Education; circumstances that cause reasonable concern to the parent/guardian for the student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or safety; or another reason approved by the Superintendent or designee.
A student may use up to five mental or behavioral health days during the school year without providing a medical note. After the student’s second mental or behavioral health day, the student may be referred to appropriate school support personnel. Students absent for a valid cause must be given a reasonable opportunity to make up missed homework and classwork.
The Superintendent or designee may use diagnostic procedures to identify the causes of a student’s unexcused absences. At a minimum, these procedures shall include interviews with the student, the student’s parent/guardian, and school officials who may have information about the reasons for the student’s attendance difficulties. The district may also review attendance patterns, academic and behavioral information, health concerns, transportation issues, family circumstances, and other relevant information.
Interventions and supportive services for truant and chronically truant students shall include, but are not limited to, parent/guardian conferences, student counseling, family counseling, and information about school and community services relevant to the student’s needs. Additional support may include attendance check-ins, mentoring, academic assistance, transportation support, health or mental-health referrals, family-engagement services, and individualized attendance plans.
The district shall collect and regularly review chronic absence data to determine the systems of support and resources needed to engage chronically absent students and their families. The review shall include an analysis of chronic absence data from each campus of the school district. The district shall use the results to identify attendance patterns, student groups requiring additional support, appropriate interventions, and opportunities to improve student and family engagement.
