501.10 - Truancy - Unexcused Absences
501.10 - Truancy - Unexcused AbsencesRegular attendance by the students at school is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program. Parents and students alike are encouraged to ensure an absence from school is a necessary absence. Students will attend school unless excused by the principal of their attendance center.
Truancy is the failure to attend school for the minimum number of days established in the school calendar by the board. Truancy is the act of being absent without a reasonable excuse. These absences will include, but not be limited to, tardiness, shopping, hunting, concerts, preparation or participation in parties and other celebrations and employment. Truancy will not be tolerated by the board.
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 principal, 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 [or Secretary/Treasurer]
410.3 Truancy Officer
501 Student Attendance
503 Student Discipline
504 Student Activities
506 Student Records
Approved 1/18/21
Reviewed
Revised
501.10R1 - Truancy - Unexcused Absence Regulation
501.10R1 - Truancy - Unexcused Absence RegulationStudents are required to be in attendance, pursuant to board policy, for 176 days per school year unless their absences have been excused by the principal for illness (absences for three or more consecutive days due to illness require a doctor's note), family emergencies, doctor or dental appointment, recognized religious observances and school sponsored or approved activities. Reasonable excuses may also include family trips or vacations if the student's work is finished prior to the trip or vacation. Absences that do not fall within the categories listed above will be considered unexcused unless approved by the principal. Parents are expected to telephone the school office to report a student's absence prior to 8:00 a.m. on the day of the absence.
If a student accumulates 15 unexcused absences in a class, he or she may lose credit for the class. Prior to imposing the loss of credit in one or more classes, the principal will provide the student an opportunity for an informal hearing.
School work missed because of absences must be made up within two times the number of days absent, not to exceed 10 days. The time allowed for make-up work may be extended at the discretion of the classroom teacher.
Students will remain in class until the hearing panel makes a decision regarding loss or restoration of credit. Full credit is awarded to all assignments and tests submitted that meet the teacher's specifications until a decision regarding credit has been made.
If a student loses credit, that fact is recorded in the student's record as an ("AD" [administrative drop])
A student who loses credit due to excessive absences is assigned to supervised study hall, for the period(s) in which the course(s) meets or the student may be reassigned to another class or location. A student who, after a hearing before the board, loses credit in all courses due to unexcused absences, will not be allowed to participate in any school activities until the following semester. However, the student is eligible to practice if all other eligibility criteria have been met.
The administration and guidance staff will make reasonable efforts to advise and counsel and may impose discipline upon any student approaching 7 unexcused absences. Such advice, discipline and counseling includes, but is not limited to, oral or written notices to the student and his or her parents, conferences with the student and parents, written contracts, or loss of non-academic privileges such as early dismissal.