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 hours in
the trimester 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 hours in the trimester. Truancy does not apply to the following students who:
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have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or has obtained a high school equivalency diploma;
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are excused for sufficient reason by any court of record or judge;
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are attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;
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are attending a private college preparatory school accredited or probationally accredited;
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are excused under Iowa Code §299.22; and
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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 [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: 34 C.F.R. sec. 300
281 I.A.C. 12.3(4).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
503 Student Discipline
504 Student Activities
506 Student Records
Adopted: 04/18/1994
Modified: 07/15/2024
Reviewed: 07/15/2024
- Series 500 Students