Modifying provisions related to compulsory education, truancy, and chronic absenteeism

This bill modifies provisions related to compulsory education, truancy, and chronic absenteeism. The bill requires the director of the department of education to develop, in consultation with the Iowa county attorneys association, a model policy that county attorneys may reference when determining whether and to what extent to enforce the provisions of Code chapter 299 (compulsory education). The bill also requires the director to distribute the model policy to county attorneys, school districts, and accredited nonpublic schools. Current law requires the board of directors of a public school district to adopt a policy or rules relating to children who are chronically absent. Current law establishes exceptions to the policy or rules for children taking part in certain specified activities. The bill adds undergoing military entrance processing, engaging in military service, traveling to attend a funeral, and traveling to attend a wedding to the list of specified activities. Absences related to such activities are not included when determining whether a child of compulsory attendance age is deemed to be a truant. The bill provides the policy or rules must describe how the exceptions may be met by a child and must give reasonable consideration to travel time. Current law requires that when a child becomes chronically absent, a school official is required to send a notice by certified mail to the child’s parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian of the child, if the child is not an emancipated minor, or to the child, if the child is an emancipated minor, that includes information related to the child’s absences from school and the policies and disciplinary processes associated with additional absences. The bill provides that a school official may send such notice by ordinary mail, electronic mail, or electronic message, or may deliver the notice in person. The bill requires the public school to maintain a copy of the notice. Current law provides that if a child is absent from school for greater than or equal to percent of the days or hours in the grading period, a school official is required to attempt to find the cause for the child’s absences and initiate and participate in a school engagement meeting. The bill provides that a school official is only required to initiate and participate in a school engagement meeting if the school official determines that the child’s absences are negatively affecting the child’s academic progress.