Iowa’s new law on school attendance and student absenteeism introduces several key changes aimed at improving attendance and addressing chronic absenteeism. Clear Creek Amana Community School District has adopted new policy to comply with the attendance law in the state of Iowa.

Please read the following policy and information below.
Policy 501.09 Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy

Changes to Absence Categorization

Iowa law outlines guidelines that districts must follow to address chronic absenteeism. State guidelines are the basis for the Clear Creek Amana policy and practices regarding attendance.

Clear Creek Amana School District will no longer determine if an absence is excused or unexcused. Absences are either counted or exempt. All absences will be counted towards a student’s total absences for the grading period unless they meet specific criteria for exemption as outlined by Iowa law. 

Being in school every day and on time is important for a child’s learning experience and academic success. We understand that children get sick and sometimes personal circumstances can come up that can affect attendance. However, even when absences are exempt, they can add up and affect a student’s progress.

The following absences are counted against a student’s total absences for the grading period:

MED	Medical - (potentially excluded if meets requirements and approved)
UN	Unexcused Absences
FAM	Family leave, Non-Medical Absences
CV	College Visit
UN	Unexcused absence - skipped class, absent with no parental contact
SRNP	School Related Non-participant
OSS	Out of School Suspension

 

The following absences are exempt from being counted in a student’s total absences for the grading period:

*MEDX	Unable to attend school due to approved medical reason(s)
RELX	Attending religious services or receiving religious instructions
IEPX	Individualized Education Program (IEP) that affects attendance
504X	Section 504 plan under of the Federal Rehabilitation Act that affects attendance
CRTX	Excused for sufficient reason by any court of record or judge (e.g., jury duty)
GRDX	Completed the requirements for graduation or has obtained a high school   equivalency diploma

 

*The following medical absences are considered exempt:

• A parent-reported illness that a healthcare provider would recommend that the child not come to school, including those listed under “Illness Guidelines” on the CCA website

• Illnesses for which health or office staff send a student home

• Illnesses for which a doctor’s excuse is provided

• Pre-arranged, planned absences for medical appointments or treatment that have been reported at least 24 hours before the absence or for which a doctor’s excuse is provided

• Absences resulting from a chronic or long term medical condition (i.e. cancer treatments, hospital stays, recovery from surgery, etc)

In order to assist families with monitoring student attendance, the district will be implementing notification letters when students reach 5%, 10% and 15% absenteeism. The following chart outlines the number of absences for each grade level, per grading period:

CCA Attendance Notifications

	Grading Period	1st Letter	2nd Letter	3rd Letter
Elementary	Trimester	3 days	6 days	9 days
Middle School	Trimester	3 days	6 days	9 days
High School	Semester	4 days	9 days	14 days

 

First Letter is a Reminder of the Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy Policy

The 1st letter is meant as a reminder to the parent or guardian of the Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy Policy. 

Second Letter - 10% absent in the current grading period

The second letter provides notification to the parent or guardian that the student has been absent from school 10% or more in the current grading period, which by Iowa law is considered Chronic Absenteeism. State law requires the district to notify the County Attorney when a compulsory age student has reached 10% absenteeism. 

Third Letter - 15% absent in the current grading period

The third letter will start a School Engagement Meeting to find out why the student is missing school and ways to improve attendance. The meeting must include the student, their parent or guardian, and a school official. Together, they will create and sign a Absenteeism Prevention Plan to prevent further absences. This plan will explain why the student has been absent and what each person will do to help. The school official will check on the plan every week for at least the rest of the grading period.

All notification letters will be mailed to the student’s home, emailed to the parent or guardian, and posted in the PowerSchool parent portal with a request for a digital signature of receipt.

Iowa law requires that districts notify the County Attorney when a compulsory age student is chronically absent or truant.  If the student and/or the student’s guardian fails to attend a School Engagement Meeting, fails to enter into an Absenteeism Prevention Plan, or violates the terms of the Absenteeism Prevention Plan, the County Attorney may initiate a legal proceeding for compulsory age students.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days can my child miss school?

Absences are either counted or exempt. If an absence does not meet the requirements to be considered exempt, then it will be counted towards the student’s total absences for the grading period.

Absences which are exempt from being counted in at student’s total absences for the grading period include specific medical absences, religious reasons, court or legal proceedings, absences included in a Section 504 or IEP, or absences which occur after completion of graduation requirements.  

Are my child’s absences counted for the entire school year?

All counted absence totals start over each grading period. CCA Middle School and all elementaries have 3 grading periods per year (trimesters). CCA High School has 2 semesters per year. 

What are the criteria for “excused” or “unexcused” absences?

Clear Creek Amana School District will no longer determine if an absence is excused or unexcused. Absences are either counted or exempt. All absences will be counted towards a student’s total absences for the grading period unless they meet specific criteria for exemption as outlined by Iowa law. The only absence that is considered unexcused is when a student is absent for unknown reasons and the school has not heard from the student’s guardian regarding the absence.

How do I report my child’s absences?

All student absences need to be reported to the main office of your child’s attendance center. Parents may call the main office, email the building secretary, or report the absence through the PowerSchool parent portal. 

What are some examples of absences that are counted against my child’s attendance?

Absences which count against a student’s total absences for the grading period include:

• Unexcused absences

• Family Leave (i.e. vacation, out of town, funeral, non-medical appointments, etc.)

• School Related, Non-participant (i.e. spectator at a school-sponsored event)

• Out-of-School Suspension

• Medical illness determined not exempt

• College visits

• Non-participant for a school-sponsored event (i.e. spectator at an athletic event)

What are some examples of absences that are exempt from being counted?

Absences which will not be counted against a student’s total absences for the grading period include:

• Medical illness determined to be exempt

• Religious holiday or service

• Court-directed activity

• IEP or 504 Plan that restricts attendance

• Participant in a school-sponsored activity

• In-School Suspension

Is mental health included in exempt medical reasons?

Iowa law does not distinguish between physical health and mental/behavioral health when determining medical exemptions. Mental and behavioral health may be included for medical exemption. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis according to district policy and based on the information provided to school personnel. 

I’m planning to do college visits with my student. Are those absences exempt?

Per Iowa Code and Iowa Department of Education guidance, college visits are not exempt. 

My student wants to attend state basketball to cheer on their friends. Is that an excused absence?

Per Iowa Code and Iowa Department of Education guidance, attending activities and events as a spectator is not exempt. 

Are family funerals an excused absence?

Per Iowa Code and Iowa Department of Education guidance, attending funerals is not exempt.  

We have a family vacation planned. How does that impact my student’s attendance record?

Per Iowa Code and Iowa Department of Education guidance, family vacations are not exempt.  

My student isn’t feeling well, but it doesn’t warrant a doctor’s visit. Do I need to make an appointment to get a note?

If a student has an illness or symptoms that a healthcare provider would recommend that the child not come to school, including the symptoms and illnesses listed under “Illness Guidelines” on the CCA website, then the illness will be exempt from being counted towards the student’s total absences for the grading period. 

What does it mean for my student’s attendance record if the nurse sends them home sick?

When a nurse sends a student home for health-related reasons, the absence will be considered medically exempt from being counted towards the student’s total absences for the grading period. 

My student has a planned surgery (i.e., tonsillectomy). Will that count against their attendance?

With a doctor’s note, this would be considered medically exempt from being counted towards the student’s total absences for the grading period. 

If I have to pick my student up early for an appointment, are they considered absent?

With a doctor’s note, or 24-hour advance notice of the appointment, this would be considered medically exempt from being counted towards the student’s total absences for the grading period.

My student has recurring appointments (i.e., physical therapy, counseling, specialist). Does each appointment require a doctor’s note, or can I bring in one note for the year?

It may be possible for recurring doctor appointments to be outlined with one note and considered medically exempt from being counted towards the student’s total absences for the grading period. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis according to district policy and based on the information provided to school personnel. 

Who do I give a doctor’s note or other documentation to, and when?

Doctor’s notes can be given to the building secretary, nurse, or an administrator either prior to the absence or upon return.

What happens if my student’s bus is late?

Students will not be counted absent or tardy due to bus-related delays.

How does this law affect students enrolled in college courses?

The student is considered present, given the student is attending a class through the school district under the direction, instruction and supervision of the college’s educational staff.

What is the difference between “Chronic Absenteeism” and “Truancy”?

• “Chronic Absenteeism” = counted absences from school which total more than 10% of the days in a grading period

• “Truancy” = counted absences from school that add up to more than 20% of the days in a grading period, and failure to participate in the School Engagement Meeting and/or to follow the Absenteeism Prevention Plan

What ages fall under this policy?

“Compulsory Attendance Age” is the age range in Iowa that children must attend school. Iowa law defines compulsory age as a child who is a resident of Iowa and is four years of age on or before September 15 of a school year and enrolled in Statewide Voluntary Preschool Programs (SWVPP), and children who are under sixteen years of age by September 15 of a school year.

Compulsory Age applies in terms of communication with the County Attorney, design of plans, etc. However, the district is required to track and report attendance to the state for all students enrolled, regardless of age.

What is the purpose of the School Engagement Meeting?

The purpose of the School Engagement Meeting is to identify reasons that are keeping the child from attending school and figure out ways to improve their attendance.

What are the consequences for not cooperating with the School Engagement Meeting and Absenteeism Prevention Plan requirements?

If the child or the child’s guardian do not participate in the School Engagement Meeting, or if they fail to enter into an Absenteeism Prevention Plan, or if the child or the child's guardian violates a requirement of the plan, the County Attorney will be notified if the child is of compulsory age. The County Attorney is then the decision-maker regarding truancy charges.