Attendance

Washington Law

State law requires children from age 8 to 17 to attend a public school, private school, or to receive home-based instruction (homeschooling). Children who are 6 or 7-years-old are not required to be enrolled in school. However, if parents enroll their 6 or 7-year-old, the student must attend full-time. Youth who are 16 or older may be excused from attending public school if they have graduated or acquired a GED. Washington’s truancy law, often termed the “Becca Bill”, is intended to curb school truancy before it becomes habitual.

The law requires many things of schools, but only requires one thing of students: attend school. If a student does not attend school the law requires the school district to take action. In addition to the law, we have Regulation 3122 and Procedure 3122P in place with regards to excused and unexcused absences.

Absences add up! Missing just 2 days per month means a child misses 10% of the school year.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% of class, which is equal to 18 days over the academic year.

Under state law, elementary schools are required to conference with parents/guardians when an elementary student has five absences for any reason in a month or ten absences over the course of the year. The purpose of the conference is to identify the barriers to the student’s regular attendance. The conference will also identify support and resources that may be made available to the family so that the student is able to regularly attend school.

Truancy is defined as when students miss school without a valid excuse.

Under Washington state’s truancy law, the school/district are required to take specific actions when students are truant.

• Parents will be notified in writing or by phone after one unexcused absence in a month.
• A parent conference will be initiated after three unexcused absences in a month in order to improve the student’s attendance.
• The parent and school must enter into a contract to improve the student’s attendance after five unexcused absences in a month, or the case may be referred to a Community Truancy Board.
• The school district may file truancy petitions with the juvenile court after seven unexcused absences in a month, or fifteen unexcused absences in an academic year.

Our Goal:

To reduce or eliminate unexcused absences from school by providing intentional supports to address barriers to attendance. The purpose of the Becca Law is not to punish students and/or parents for past absences, but to provide a safety net to keep youth safe and prevent school dropout.

Plan ahead

• Help your child get to school on time every day by planning ahead. Encourage your child to prepare for the next school day by laying out clothes the night before and helping to fix lunches. Daily attendance routines, created at home or in school, can reduce stress for students and families and create a sense of safety and security, especially after chaotic transitions.
• Follow school guidelines and attendance policy, and report excused absences immediately. At the beginning of the school year, review school rules and make sure you understand who to call if your child will be absent.

Schedule family events with your child’s school schedule in mind 

• Try to plan holiday celebrations or family trips during weekends or school vacations. In the case of family emergencies or unexpected trips, let the school know as soon as possible and speak to your child’s teacher to set up a means for your child to work ahead or bring important assignments on the trip.
• Limit absence due to medical appointments or illness. If possible, avoid scheduling doctor appointments during the school hours. Keep your child at home only in the case of contagious or severe illnesses.

Take an active role 

• Stay involved with your child’s daily experiences at school by asking how the school day went. Listen carefully to what your child shares with you about their successes and struggles. Make it a point to meet your child’s teacher and friends.
• Promote a restful environment. Limiting stimulants before bed has shown to improve sleep performance. Instead of TV or video games before bed, relaxing activities like reading, stretching, or meditation can help a child get the advised 8-12 hours needed to properly function. 
• Identify potential sources of anxiety. If your child frequently appears upset or reluctant to go to school and cannot tell you why, schedule an appointment with their teacher or school counselor to talk about possible sources of the anxiety.

Promote engagement 

• Being in school helps students to get to know peers, teachers and school staff, and to create trusting relationships that motivate students to participate in learning.
• Schools help students and families gain access to basic resources such as meals, physical and mental health services, and fun enrichment activities including sports, clubs, music, afterschool and summer programs.