Tackling Attendance

During the COVID pandemic, attendance policies were relaxed around the country. Anytime someone had a runny nose or at the first signs of a cold, they were sent home. These policies were designed to keep everyone safe and healthy. At that time, we didn't really have a good understanding of how this illness was spread. Nor did we fully grasp the toll that would be paid from the isolation caused by long absences from school. As a result, regular school attendance suffered. Unfortunately it continues to be a challenge to this day. 

Indeed, we were not immune to this phenomenon at Hudson. Just like schools all around the state and nation, we have struggled with attendance post COVID. Think about this: during the 2023-2024 school year nearly 17% of our students were classified as 'chronically absent'. Are you surprised? I certainly was when I ran the statistic!

It is time to right the ship. We know that regular and consistent attendance matter. Regular attendance in school allows students to keep up with school work and participate in class discussions. It leads to better grades and overall academic performance. Missing school, particularly in early grades disrupts learning fundamental skills in reading, writing, and math. Oftentimes these foundational skills build on one another. Without that strong foundation, gaps in learning will become even more pronounced in later grade levels leading to frustration. Studies show that students with poor attendance are at greater risk of dropping out of school.

Regular attendance at school enables children to interact with peers, build friendships, and solve problems by developing important social skills like cooperation and communication. It also helps to form the habits and routines that are critical for future success in work and life. It teaches responsibility and time management. There is no doubt that students with good attendance are likely to graduate from high school and pursue further education or careers. 

This year, the Iowa legislature passed a new law centered on tackling attendance and absenteeism in schools. As such, schools are now required to sharpen our focus on school attendance. The school board is poised to take final action on our policies and procedures to ensure they conform with state law. What does this mean? Here are a few highlights:

Chronically Absent=10%
By state law, a student is identified as being chronically absent if they are absent for 10% of the scheduled days of school during the reporting period, and it doesn't matter what reason the student is absent (sans exceptions listed in Board Policy 501.3). Consider this: a quarter is roughly 45 days in length. If a student misses more than 4 days in that quarter, we are now required by law to provide notice to the student, parents and the county attorney.

School Engagement Meeting=15%
Hopefully the notification outlined above corrects the issue. But if it doesn't and the student reaches an absentee rate of 15% during the reporting period, the law now requires the school to convene a mandatory school engagement meeting with the student, parent, and school official. During that engagement meeting, the goal is to understand the reason for the absences and to develop a plan to improve attendance. We are required to monitor the plan weekly and report to the county attorney if the plan is violated.

Truancy=20%
It is the goal of the new law, and the district to ensure that students are not truant. Truancy is defined by law as any child of compulsory age who is absent from school for any reason for at least 20% of the days in a quarter. Students who have met the truancy threshold will be reported to the county attorney. 

Please understand the aforementioned designations become effective regardless of the reason a child is absent from school, unless otherwise exempted. Board Policy 501.3, which is the governing policy on compulsory attendance provides those reasons that may be exempted.

Students who are absent from school without a reasonable excuse as determined by the principal, are subject to disciplinary action. Our building principals are given a wide berth for determining the appropriate measures based on a system of progressive sanctions ranging from detention, to Saturday school and even being declared ineligible for extra-curricular activities. Please refer to administrative regulation 501.9R1 for details. 

Our hope is sanctions are never necessary and that the school engagement meeting is a rare occurrence. Our wish is to be partners with parents in this goal of ensuring students have the tools to be successful not only in school, but later on in life. This begins with regular school attendance. If you have any questions about these policies, please reach out to your child's principal.