COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE
Parents within the school district who have children over age six and under age sixteen by September 15, in proper physical and mental condition to attend school, shall have the children attend the school district at the attendance center designated by the board. Students shall attend school the number of days school is in session in accordance with the school calendar. Students of compulsory attendance age shall attend school a minimum of 175 days. Students not attending the minimum days must be exempted by this policy as listed below or, for students in grades 7-12, referred to the county attorney or, for students in grades K-6, referred to the Attendance Cooperation process. Exceptions to this policy include children who:
1) have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or have obtained a high school equivalency diploma;
2) are attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;
3) are attending an approved or probationally approved private college preparatory school;
4) are attending an accredited nonpublic school; or,
5) are receiving competent private instruction.
It is the responsibility of the parent of a child to provide evidence of the child’s mental and physical inability to attend school or of the child’s qualifications for one of the exceptions listed above.
The principal shall investigate the cause for a student’s truancy. If the principal is unable to secure the truant student’s attendance, the principal should discuss the next step with the school board. If after school board action, the student is still truant, the principal shall refer the matter over to the county attorney for students in grades 7 - 12. Truant students who have not yet completed sixth grade will be subject to the Attendance Cooperation Process outlined in the supporting administrative regulation.
The school will participate in mediation if requested by the county attorney. The superintendent shall represent the school district in mediation. The school district will monitor the student’s compliance with the mediation agreement and will report violations of the mediation agreement to the county attorney.
Legal References: Iowa Code §§ 239.5B; 259A; 279.10-11; ch 299; 299A (1997)
441 I.A.C. 41.25(8)
1978 Op. Att’y. Gen. 379
Cross References: 501 Student Attendance
601.2 School Calendar
602.16 Equivalent Instruction
Adopted: November 11, 1985
Reviewed: January 20, 2003
September 2006
December 17, 2012
Revised: March 1998