501.9 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 or grading period 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.

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 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.

This is a mandatory policy.