WSD New Attendance Need to Know

Truant: Any school aged minor is absent for at least half of the school day without a valid excuse (unexcused). 

Valid excuses include:

• Illness, which may be either mental or physical

• Mental or behavioral health

• Family Death

• Absence permitted by students IEP/504
  

• An approved school activity, including competition in a rodeo sanctioned by an international, non-profit organization

• Pre-Arranged Absence -one day prior notice

A valid excuse does not include parent acknowledgement of an absence for a reason other than above and will be marked unexcused and will be considered truant if the unexcused absence is for half or more of the school day. 

Schools/Administrators must attempt to resolve attendance problems:

• Monitoring School Attendance

• Providing counseling by school authorities

• Implementing targeted interventions

• Considering alternate parent proposals

• Provide a list of resources available to assist parents

• Refer for 504 evaluation, if appropriate

  If an Elementary Student (grades 1-6) is absent without a valid excuse (truant) 5 or more times in the school year: (Utah Code 53G-6-202)

• The parent may be issued a Notice of Compulsory Education Violation.

• If a parent intentionally or without good cause failed to meet with school designee, to cooperate in securing attendance or to prevent future truancies, the school shall report information to DCFS.

• School must provide DCFS with required information.

  If a Secondary Student (grades 7-12) is truant 5 or more times in the school year (cannot be counted truant more than once per day): (Utah Code 53G-6-203)

• The student and parent may be issued a Notice of Truancy.

• If the student and parent intentionally or without good cause failed to meet with school designee and to cooperate in securing attendance, the school may enlist the assistance of community or law enforcement.