501.3 - Compulsory Attendance
501.3 - Compulsory AttendanceParents 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, will have the children attend the school district at the attendance center designated by the board. Students will attend school the number of days school is in session in accordance with the school calendar. Students of compulsory attendance age will attend school a minimum of 1080 hours. Students not attending the minimum days must be exempted by this policy as listed below or, referred to the county attorney. Exceptions to this policy include children who:
- have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or have obtained a high school equivalency diploma;
- are attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;
- are attending an approved or probationally approved private college preparatory school;
- are attending an accredited nonpublic school;
- are receiving independent private instruction; or,
- 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 will 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, principal will refer the matter over to the county attorney.
The school will participate in mediation if requested by the county attorney. The superintendent will 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.
Note: The compulsory attendance law does not require school districts to have a truancy officer.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 259A; 279.10-.11; ch. 299; 299A.
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
601.1 School Calendar
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
Initially Approved 02-14-2000
Last Reviewed 01-27-2021
Last Revision 01-27-2021
501.3R1 - Attendance Cooperation Process
501.3R1 - Attendance Cooperation ProcessWhen it is determined that a student in grades K-6 is in violation of the school district attendance policy and procedures, the principal will check with the Department of Human Services records to determine whether the student’s family is receiving Family Investment Program (FIP) benefits. If the student’s family is receiving FIP benefits, the principal will notify DHS. DHS is responsible for the Attendance Cooperation Process.
If the student’s family is not receiving FIP benefits, the principal will initiate the Attendance Cooperation Process. The parents will be contacted to participate. The principal may also invite juvenile court officers, the county attorney, other school officials and others deemed appropriate. If others are invited who don’t have access to the student’s records either by law or a Juvenile Justice Agency Information Sharing Agreement, parental consent is needed for them to participate in the Attendance Cooperation Process.
The purpose of the Attendance Cooperation Process is to determine the cause of the student’s nonattendance, get parties to agree to solutions addressing the nonattendance and initiate referrals to any other services that may be necessary. The agreement is then written. The agreement is to include all terms agreed to and future responsibilities of all parties. All parties must sign the agreement and failure to sign by the parents is considered a violation of the process and initiates the next level.
If the parents do not participate in the Attendance Cooperation Process, if the parties do not enter into an Attendance Cooperation Agreement or if the parents violate a term of the agreement, the student is deemed truant. For Family Investment Program students and non-Family Investment Program students, the school district notifies the county attorney when students are truant. When a student is deemed truant, for Family Investment Program students, DHS is again notified and DHS then initiates the process whereby Family Investment Program benefits are reduced.