Student Attendance - 3120

The Federal Way School District Board of Directors believes that regular school attendance is essential for mastery of the educational program provided to students of the district. Regular attendance has a direct effect on the academic progress of all students and on the development of good habits which will aid students as they move into the world beyond the district. The Board of Directors stresses that regular and consistent attendance results from the partnership between the district, school, parent/guardian and students--each with equal levels of responsibility.

Students are responsible for:

• arriving at each class on time and prepared to learn;

• communicating problems which may be affecting attendance and cooperating with intervention strategies; and

• following the policies and procedures of the district and their school with regard to attendance.

Parents/guardians are responsible for:

• causing their children of compulsory school attendance age to attend school on time and prepared to learn in compliance with state law;

• communicating problems which may be affecting attendance and cooperating with intervention strategies;

• educating students on the importance of regular attendance;

• communicating with the school to verify excused absences and pre-arranged absences; and

• supporting discipline imposed by the school for unexcused absences.

The school is responsible for:

• informing parents/guardians and students of state law

and district policy regarding school attendance;

• educating students on the importance of regular attendance;

• monitoring student attendance and maintaining accurate records of such attendance;

• notifying parents/guardians of unexcused absences and

the consequences of future unexcused absences;

• scheduling conferences to analyze the causes for student absences and proposing and/or implementing interventions designed to reduce such absences;

• imposing discipline as a consequence of non-attendance;

and

• communicating and cooperating with the district in seeking court intervention as required by law to address unexcused absences.

The district shall be responsible for:

• informing parents/guardians, students and schools of state law and district policy regarding school attendance;

• establishing standards for school attendance and procedures for enforcing such standards;

• assisting schools in providing due process for students subject to discipline imposed as a result of non- attendance;

• assisting schools in seeking court intervention as required by law to address unexcused absences;

• monitoring school compliance with state law and district policy; and

• reviewing district policy and procedures annually.

Developing lifelong habits of promptness and reliability shall be included as an instructional objective of each class offered by the district.

The Federal Way School District Board of Directors directs the superintendent/designee to develop procedures which implement state law and regulations and promote the regular attendance of all students.

Legal Reference:

RCW 28A.225 Compulsory School Attendance & Admission

WAC 180-40-235  Discipline--Conditions and Limitations

Adoption Date: 7/26/06