501.10 - Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy - Unexcused Absences

501.10 - Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy - Unexcused Absences

501.10 - Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy

The district believes that traditional, in-person school attendance leads to the greatest learning opportunities for students. Students who are present in school and engaged active learners take greater ownership over their educational outcomes.  For this reason, it is the priority of the district to foster regular student attendance throughout the school year and reduce barriers to regular attendance for students in the district.

Chronic absenteeism/absences means any absence from school for more than ten percent of the days in the semester as established by the district.

Truant/truancy means a child of compulsory attendance age who is absent from school for any reason for at least twenty percent of the days in the semester. Truancy does not apply to the following students who:

  • have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or has obtained a high school equivalency diploma

  • are excused for sufficient reason by any court of record or judge;

  • are attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;

  • are unable to attend school due to legitimate medical reasons;

  • have an individualized education program than affects the student's attendance;

  • have a plan under section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. §794, that affects the child's attendance;

  • are attending a private college preparatory school accredited or probationally accredited;

  • are excused under Iowa Code §299.22; and

  • are exempt under Iowa Code §299.24.

  • are a military applicant undergoing military entrance processing;

  • are engaged in military service;

  • are traveling to attend a funeral; or

  • are traveling to attend a wedding.

Students are subject to disciplinary action for truancy including suspension and expulsion.  It is within the discretion of the principal to determine, in light of the circumstances, whether a student may make up work missed because of truancy.  Students receiving special education services will not be assigned to supervised study hall, in-school suspension unless the goals and objectives of the student's Individualized Education Program are capable of being met.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the designated school officials, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.  The administrative regulations will indicate the disciplinary action to be taken for truancy.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299.
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.3(4).

Cross Reference:  206.3 Secretary
                                       410.3 Truancy Officer
                                       501 Student Attendance
                                       503 Student Discipline
                                       504 Student Activities
                                       506 Student Records

Approved: August 1996
Reviewed: February 2017, May 2020, August 2024
Revised: May 2009, April 2024, December 2025        

 

dawn.gibson.cm… Fri, 12/22/2023 - 11:43

501.10R1 - Truancy - Unexcused Absence Regulation

501.10R1 - Truancy - Unexcused Absence Regulation

 

501.10R1 - Truancy - Unexcused Absence Regulation

I. General Attendance Policy

A. Absences

1. Parents are expected to notify the school prior to 8:10 a.m. regarding a student's absence on the day of the absence. All absences must be reported within one day of the absence to be considered excused. 

Students absent from school for any reason may be required by the school to submit a written explanation or specific reason for their absence, the specific days of times they were absent, verification by the doctor or dentist where appropriate, and a signature of the parent. 

2. Acceptable reasons for a student's absence from school are limited to the following:

     a. religious observances;

     b. extended illness, hospitalization or doctor's care;

     c. death in the family or family emergency; and

     d. court appearance or other legal situation beyond the control of the family.

3. Classes missed because of attendance at a school-sponsored trip or activity will not be considered an absence. However, the student will be required to make up work missed.

4. In-school suspensions will be treated as school-initiated student absences and will not count toward the days absent. However, the student will be required to make up work missed.
 

B. Tardiness 

1. A student is tardy when the student initially appears in the assigned area any time after the designated starting time.

2. All incidents of class tardiness will be the responsibility of the teacher.

Teachers will emphasize the importance of being on time and explain the classroom rules and procedures for tardies. The tardy sanctions should be consistently applied and sequential. Sanctions may include, but are not limited to, warning, assigned detention, parent contact and referral to

 

 

Adopted: 4/23/24

Reviewed: August 2024

dawn.gibson.cm… Fri, 12/22/2023 - 11:45