Parents, Students, Schools Adjust to New Absenteeism Policy

Parents, students and school districts across Iowa are adjusting to stricter state-mandated attendance policies aimed at reducing absences by students. 

Charles City Schools Superintendent Brian Burnight says the state’s new approach to “chronic absenteeism” means all absences are being monitored more closely.

In addition to attendance, school principals expressed concerns in a recent School Board workshop session over behavioral issues in the classroom being a challenge in the initial month of the school year. 

During Monday (09.23) night’s Charles City School Board meeting, Board member Bruce Koebrick urged parents to be proactive on both fronts.

Earlier this month, Burnight told the School Board that state statistics indicate 22% of Iowa students missed 10% or more days of class last year.

Under the new state law, if a student misses more than 10% of school days, the County Attorney could get involved in truancy matters.