Cedar Rapids schools to enforce stricter attendance policy to comply with new law in Iowa, wi

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) has implemented a stricter attendance policy under a new state law that could involve the county attorney and juvenile court for truancy cases, according to a news release Wednesday.

The revised policy is intended to reduce chronic absenteeism and ensure students are consistently in school, according to Chris Gibson, CRCSD director of student services.

“What they’re trying to do is add some teeth to our participation policies of the past,” Gibson said. “Since COVID, attendance has dropped significantly, not only in Cedar Rapids, but across the country.”

Under the updated policy, a student missing 10 percent or more of school days in a grading period or semester will trigger a certified letter to their parents, the county attorney being notified, but not lead to immediate legal action. If a student’s absenteeism reaches 15%, a mandatory “School Engagement Meeting” is required, during which an “Absenteeism Prevention Plan” is drawn up. Parents who refuse to get involved in the process could see their case referred to the county attorney, with possible involvement of the juvenile court.

“We will have to, by law, notify the county attorney that the student has missed 20 percent or more of the school year, but they won’t take the case unless the family has had no communication and has really worked to help the child reach . at school,” she said.

Another significant change is the removal of the distinction between excused and unexcused absences. “The definition of chronic absenteeism is simply not being in school. So it doesn’t matter if it’s excused or unexcused,” Gibson said.

Gibson stressed the importance of communication for parents concerned about the policy’s implications, especially those with children who may have medical conditions or other legitimate reasons for missing school.