1. Truancy, Chronic Absenteeism, changes in the laws and rules
Supporting Students to Academic Achievement

2. Goals
1. Understand the relationship and impact of chronic absenteeism and truancy
2. Become familiar with the law and new changes
3. Understand the Community Truancy Board Model
4. Learn about the WARNS and other assessments
5. Define a role for yourself in the work of promoting attendance and student engagement
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/19/2018

3. Mandatory Attendance RCW 28A.225.010
In Washington state we have mandatory school attendance that starts at age 8 and goes to 18 with some exceptions
Students may be enrolled in a private school or be home schooled
At age 16 a student with permission of both the school and parent may be released from school
6 and 7 year olds who are enrolled in public schools must follow the attendance rules
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/19/2018

4. Chronic Absenteeism in Washington
16% of Washington students were chronically absent in 2014‒ (~174,000 students).
17% of Washington Students were chronically absent in
American Indian/Alaskan Native: 33%
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander: 26%
Low-Income: 22%
The rate of chronically absent students varies across districts
—from less than 5% to more than 40% of students in a district.
Disproportionately affects…
Click on hyperlink “Chronic Absenteeism in Washington” for connection to OSPI Data Analytics. Facilitators should familiarize themselves with the website. Each ESD has a data coach that can assist or contact Susan Canaga at OSPI.
OSPI GATE Attendance Webinar 10/10/16
Creating Effective Community Truancy Boards Workshop Manual, December Revision 3, OSPI and PSESD.

5. Truant Youth increased ACE’s, social and emotional difficulties.
4-6 times more likely to have run away or been kicked out of their homes on multiple occasions.
history of a psychological disorder or learning disability,
higher level of depression-anxiety, aggression- defiance, substance abuse, peer deviance, school disengagement, and family problems than non truant youth.
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/19/2018

6. Data 15-16 OSPI truancy report 15-16 Chronic Absenteeism Data HYS
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9/19/2018

7. Students who report being bullied in past 30 days skip also report
missing more days of school because they feel unsafe
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9/19/2018

8. District Communication
Must inform parents and students of the benefits of regular attendance
The risks and potential consequences of absenteeism and truancy
The school’s policies and procedures for attendance
Must be in the language in which they are fluent
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/19/2018

9. Elementary School
Five or more excused absences in a month or ten or more in a year require a conference
Unless the absence is prearranged and a plan is in place to keep the student from falling behind
eIndicators/ChronicAbsenteeism.aspx
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/19/2018

10. Unexcused Absences
After 2 unexcused absences a conference is required-new law changes to 3
Take data informed steps to eliminate or reduce the absences
The Washington Assessment of Risks and Needs of Students (WARNS) or other assessments- new law only for middle and high school
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/19/2018

11. Defining Unexcused Absences in ALE and Virtual Schools
A new section has been added to the law that gives authority to OSPI to develop rules in WAC for defining truancy in ALE and for utilizing the Choice Transfer System to work with resident districts to ensure students and families receive the services of a Community Truancy Board.
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/19/2018

12. Form Community Truancy Boards by 2017-18
All districts with greater than 200 students must enter into an MOU with the Juvenile court to form CTB’s- new law change to 300 Districts with fewer than 200 (300) students may coordinate with other districts and offer other coordinated services All districts must designate a person to their respective court to coordinate efforts to address excessive absenteeism and truancy- new law adds and OSPI
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/19/2018

13. Filing a Truancy Petition
All previous interventions and assessments for the student must be included in the filing
All petitions will be initially stayed and the student referred to a CTB
Districts may be reimbursed per filing
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/19/2018

14. Community Truancy Boards
A community response to identify root causes of truant behavior and provide resources and interventions to youth and families in a collaborative environment that keeps youth in school and out of court
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/19/2018

15. Community Truancy Boards
Composed of members from the school, court and local community in which the child attends school.
Provides a supportive environment where a youth and family can openly discuss the reasons behind the child’s absences.
Identification of individualized interventions
Goal is to successfully reintegrate students back into the school setting which encourages and supports attendance and involvement.
Contract based with shared responsibilities
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/19/2018

16. Community Truancy Boards
Improving school attendance by using best practices that incorporate the following:
Developing a system for finding solutions to prevent truancy.
Improving school engagement.
Reducing drop out rates.
Increasing access to outside service providers.
Using an interdisciplinary approach to collaborate and coordinate with local community businesses, non profit groups, schools, and court staff.
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/19/2018

17. Assessments
Washington Assessment of Risks and Needs of Students- WARNS
Global Appraisal of Individual Needs-Gains short screener
Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths- CANS
School Refusal Assessment Scale-geared to elementary
Student:  
Parent:  /med interactive-pdf-004.pdf
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9/19/2018

18. The Spokane model OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/19/2018

19. OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
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20. Roles for the staff to support students and families
Where do you see yourself ?
Tier 1- for all students
Tier 2- for some students
Tier 3- for few students
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/19/2018

21. Activity
Addressing Truancy and Chronic Absenteeism thru a Multi Tiered System of Support
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9/19/2018

22. OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/19/2018

23. Resources http://www.k12.wa.us/attendance/default.aspx
prevention-and-re-engagement/truancy/
PSESD Attendance Awareness Communications Kit
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/19/2018

24. Contact:
Laurie Shannon- Graduation and Reengagement Program Supervisor/ Becca Liaison
Krissy Johnson-Program Supervisor
Student Assistance/Secondary Ed and Student Support
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/19/2018