COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE
A student of compulsory attendance is described as a child enrolled in preschool, kindergarten or a child who is age six and under age sixteen by September 15. Parents within the school district who have children 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 criteria will attend school a minimum of 175 days. Students not attending the minimum days must be exempted by this policy as listed below or may be referred to the Juvenile Court School Liaison.
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.
Excessive absences/truancies will be investigated by the Juvenile Court School Liaison. If the Building Principal or other school official is unable to secure the truant student's attendance, the JCSL will proceed per the Chariton Community School District’s Attendance Policy as outlined in each building’s Student Handbook.
Students of compulsory attendance age who continue to be absent/truant after a Building Level Attendance Contract has been signed, will be referred by the district JCSL to the County Attorney’s office for mediation and/or prosecution.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 239.5B; 259A; 279.10-.11; ch. 299; 299A (2005).
441 I.A.C. 41.25(8). 1978 Op. Att'y. Gen. 379.
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
601.1 School Calendar
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
Approved Mar 12, 2007
Reviewed November 15, 2021
Revised November 15, 2021