Attendance
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Attendance
Attendance is a critical building block for student learning. If students are not present, they cannot engage in learning. Chronic absenteeism impacts all students—no matter their age. Students that miss just two days a month for any reason are more likely to not read at grade level, and more likely to not graduate. Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student's academic success starting in Kindergarten. Families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day, and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and on the job in the future.
What you can do to support good attendance?
- Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day -- make that the expectation
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine
- Prepare as much as you can the night before (lunch, clothes, homework)
- Develop a back-up plan to get to school if something comes up
- Keep track of your student’s attendance
Attendance Laws
BECCA Bill
A state law in Washington, called the “Becca Bill,” requires all children between ages 8 and 18 to attend school regularly. The law requires parents or legal guardians to make sure their children are in school regularly. Students can be in public school, private school or homeschool (RCW 28A.225.010; 28A.225.015).
The law requires that students are in school, full-time, every day, unless there is a valid excuse. If a student misses school without a valid excuse, the student might be considered “truant.” When a student is truant, schools are required to:
- Notify the family
- Meet and work with the family and student to figure out why, and
- Try different strategies to help improve the student's attendance
What does the law require of Schools (RCW 28A.225)?
- Notify parents of the attendance rules
- Notify parents every time a student is absent
- Meet with parents and students to find out why
- Try different strategies to improve attendance, and in some cases
- Refer a student and/or parent to a Community Engagement Board or to court
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are valid excuses for absences?
- Do I have to call my child’s school after each absence?
- Why do I still get letters in the mail after I excuse my child for their absences?
What are valid excuses for absences?
Do I have to call my child’s school after each absence?
Why do I still get letters in the mail after I excuse my child for their absences?
CONTACT YOUR SCHOOL FOR ATTENDANCE
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