3120 - Compulsory Attendance Policy

Policy 3120

STUDENTS

Compulsory Attendance

Parent(s) or guardian(s) of any child eight years of age and under eighteen years of age shall cause such child to attend school and such child shall have the responsibility to and therefore shall attend for the full time when such school may be in session unless the child is enrolled in an approved private school, an educational center as provided in Chapter 28A.205 RCW, or is receiving home-based instruction.

Exceptions may be granted by the superintendent for children who are sixteen years of age or older if the child has:

A.    Become regularly and lawfully employed and either the parent(s) or guardian(s) agrees that the child should not be required to attend school or the child has been emancipated in accordance with Chapter 13.64 RCW,

B.    Met graduation requirements, or

C.    Received a certificate of educational competence.

Any law enforcement officer authorized to make arrests can take a truant child into custody without a warrant and must then deliver the child to the parent(s) or guardian(s) or to the school.

The district shall not require enrollment for either (a) a minimum number of semesters or (b) a minimum number of courses in a semester or trimester which exceeds the enrollment time or courses necessary for a student to meet established course, credit, and test requirements for high school graduation.

Cross References:    
Board Policy 3114        Part-time, Home-based, or Off-campus Students
Board Policy 3122        Excused and Unexcused Absences

Legal References:    
AGO 1980 No. 6        Truancy – Enforcement of compulsory attendance law
RCW    28A.225.010        Attendance mandatory – Age – Persons having custody shall cause child to attend public school – When excused
RCW    28A.225.080        Employment permits
RCW    28A.225.090        Penalties in general – Defense – Suspension of fine – Complaints to court
WAC    180-51-020        Additional local standards

Adoption Date:      October 14, 1997