1215 W. Lewis Street
3122 - Excused and Unexcused Absences Policy
Procedure 3122P
STUDENTS
Excused and Unexcused Absences
Students are expected to attend all assigned classes each day. Teachers will keep a record of absences and tardiness.
1. Excused Absences
Regular school attendance is necessary for mastery of the educational program provided to students of the district. Students at times may appropriately be absent from class. The following principles shall govern the development and administration of attendance procedures within the district:
A. The following are valid excuses for absences:
a. Participation in a district or school approved activity or instructional program
b. Illness, health condition, or medical appointment (including, but not limited to, medical counseling, dental, or optometry);
c. Religious or cultural purpose including observance of a religious or cultural holiday or participation in religious or cultural instruction;
d. District or school-approved activities or instructional programs;
e. Family emergencies, including, but not limited to, a death or illness;
f. Court, judicial proceedings, or jury service;
g. Post-secondary, technical school, or apprenticeship program visitation, or scholarship interview;
h. State-recognized search and rescue activities consistent with state law;
i. Absence directly related to the student’s homeless status;
j. Absence resulting from a disciplinary or corrective action;
k. Other activity as mutually agreed upon by an administrator, parent/guardian, or emancipated youth.
The principal or designee has the authority to determine if an absence meets one of the above criteria for an excused absence.
B. If an absence is excused, the student shall be permitted to make up all missed assignments outside of class under reasonable conditions and time limits established by the appropriate teacher, except that in participation-type classes a student’s grade may be affected because of the student’s inability to make up the activities conducted during a class period.
C. An excused absence shall be verified by the parent(s) or guardian(s), emancipated or appropriately aged student, or school authority responsible for the absence.
2. Unexcused Absences
A. Any absence from school for the majority of hours or periods in an average school day is unexcused unless it meets one of the criteria above for excused absence.
B. As a means of instilling values of responsibility and personal accountability, a student whose absence is not excused shall experience the consequences of his or her absence. A student’s grade shall be affected if a graded activity or assignment occurs during the period of time when the student is absent. The school shall notify a student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) in writing or by telephone whenever the student has failed to attend school after one (1) unexcused absence within any month during the current school year.
C. A conference with the parent or guardian will be held after two unexcused absences within any month during the current school year. A student may be suspended or expelled for habitual truancy. Prior to suspension or expulsion, the parent(s) or guardian(s) shall be notified in writing in his or her primary language that the student has unexcused absences. A conference shall be scheduled to determine what corrective measures should be taken to ameliorate the cause for the student’s absences from school. If the parent/guardian does not attend the conference, they will be notified of the steps the district has decided to take to reduce the student’s absences.
D. Not later than the student’s fifth unexcused absence in a month, the district will enter into an agreement with the student and parents/guardian that establishes school attendance requirements, will refer the student to a community truancy board, or will file a petition and affidavit with the juvenile court alleging a violation of RCW 28A.224.010.
E. If such action is not successful, the district shall file a petition with the juvenile court alleging a violation of RCW 28A.225.010 by the parent/guardian, student, or parent/guardian and student not later than the seventh (7th) unexcused absence by a student within any month during the current school year or upon the tenth (10th) unexcused absence during the current school year.
All suspensions and/or expulsions shall be reported in writing to the superintendent within 24 hours after imposition.
The superintendent shall enforce the district’s attendance policies and procedures. Because the full knowledge and cooperation of students and parent(s) or guardian(s) are necessary for the success of the policies and procedures, procedures shall be disseminated broadly and made available to parent(s) or guardian(s) and students annually.
Cross References:
Board Policy 3320 Suspensions or Expulsions
Board Policy 3230 Student Privacy
Legal References:
RCW 13.34.300 Failure to cause juvenile to attend school as evidence under neglect petition
RCW 28A.225 Compulsory School Attendance
WAC 180-16-215(4) Minimum 180 school day year
WAC 392-400-235 Discipline – Conditions and limitations
WAC 392-400-260 Long-term suspension – Conditions and limitations
Adoption Date: March 27, 2012