The Western Dubuque County Community School District (WDCCSD) believes that traditional, in-person school attendance leads to the greatest learning opportunities for students. Students who are present in school and engaged learners take greater ownership over their educational outcomes. For this reason, it is the priority of the district to foster regular student attendance throughout the school year and reduce barriers to regular attendance for students in the district.
With recent changes from the latest legislative session, specifically Senate File 2435, and new guidance from the Iowa Department of Education, we want to ensure you are informed about the updated expectations regarding student attendance.
According to Iowa Senate File 2435, chronic absenteeism is defined as missing more than 10% of the days or hours in a grading period set by a public school.
There are steps that WDCCSD and all school districts in Iowa must take when absenteeism reaches certain thresholds throughout the year. Chronic absenteeism is not a one-size-fits-all issue, as various real-life situations arise throughout the year. The district firmly believes that it can follow the law, while also taking care of our most important stakeholders. According to Senate File 2435, the following actions will be taken once these absence thresholds are met.
When your student misses 10% of the hours in a trimester due to non-exempt absences per SF 2435
WDCCSD will send notice by email to the Dubuque County Attorney’s Office.
WDCCSD will notify the student’s parent or guardian via certified mail that includes information related to the student’s absences from school and the policies and disciplinary processes associated with additional absences.
WDCCSD has the local authority to view family trips and vacations as excused absences; however, Iowa law requires missed days due to trips and vacations to count toward calculations of chronic absenteeism and truancy.
This includes all absences that are non-exempt per SF 2435
For reference, 10% of hours in a trimester is about 6 days.
When your student misses 15% of the hours in a trimester due to non-exempt absences per SF 2435
School officials will attempt to find the cause of the absences and request a school engagement meeting with all associated stakeholders.
If the student and the student’s parent/guardian do not attend the meeting, do not enter into a plan, or violate the terms of the plan, the school official will notify the county attorney.
The district will send an “Absenteeism Prevention Plan” via certified mail and email. This form will be a working document to address expectations moving forward.
This includes all absences that are non-exempt per SF 2435
For reference, 15% of hours in a trimester is about 9 days.
When your student misses 20% of the hours in a trimester due to due to non-exempt absences per SF 2435
Truancy means a child of compulsory attendance age who is absent from school for any reason for at least 20% of the hours in the trimester.
If the student and the student’s parent/guardian violate the terms of the “Absenteeism Prevention Plan,” the school official will notify the county attorney.
This includes all absences that are non-exempt per SF 2435
While Senate File 2435 establishes strict guidelines for chronic absenteeism and truancy, certain exemptions exist. These exemptions ensure that legitimate circumstances impacting student attendance are accounted for. The following situations are not included in the calculation of chronic absenteeism or truancy for students who:
have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or have obtained a high school equivalency diploma;
are excused for sufficient reason by any court of record or judge;
are attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;
are unable to attend school due to legitimate medical reasons;
has an individualized education program that affects the child’s attendance;
has a plan under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. §794, that affects the child’s attendance;
are attending an approved or probationary approved private college preparatory school;
are attending an accredited nonpublic school;
are receiving independent private instruction; or,
are receiving competent private instruction.
are excused under Iowa Code §299.22; and
are exempt under Iowa Code §299.24.
Attendance is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation, collaboration, and communication between students, families, and the school. We are committed to providing the necessary resources and support to help overcome any barriers to daily attendance.
Please reach out to your school if there is anything we can do to assist. Consistent school attendance is vital for your student’s success both academically and socially.
We understand that certain absences, such as extended illness, hospital stays, or the loss of a loved one, are sometimes unavoidable. However, we must adhere to legal requirements in all circumstances. If these situations occur, the district will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure a safe, healthy, and successful return to school.
Thank you for your continued partnership in making this a successful year for all our students.