COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE

Parents of any child eight years of age and under eighteen years of age will cause such child to attend school and such child will have the responsibility to and therefore will attend for the full time when such school may be in session unless the child is enrolled in an approved private school, an educational center as provided in chapter 28A.205 RCW or is receiving home-based instruction.

Exception may be granted by the superintendent in the following circumstances:

1. The student is physically or mentally unable to attend school;

2. The student is attending a residential school operated by the Department of Social and Health Services;

3. The student's parents have requested a temporary absence for purposes agreed to by the district and which will not cause a serious adverse effect on the student's educational process;

4. The student is sixteen years of age, regularly and lawfully employed and either has parent permission or is emancipated pursuant to chapter 13.64 RCW;

5. The student has met graduation requirements;

6. The student has received a certificate of educational competence (GED).

Any law enforcement officer authorized to make arrests can take a truant child into custody without a warrant and must then deliver the child to the parent or to the school.

The district will not require enrollment for either (a) a minimum number of semesters or trimesters or (b) a minimum number of courses in a semester or trimester which exceeds the enrollment time or courses necessary for a student to meet established course, credit, and test requirements for high school graduation.

Cross Reference:          Board Policy 3114 - Part Time, Home Based, or Off-Campus Students

                        Board Policy 3112 - Excused and Unexcused Absences

Legal References:        RCW 28A.225.010 - Attanance Mandatory – Age – Exceptions.

                        RCW 228A.225.080 - Employment Permits

                        RCW 28A.225.090 - Court Orders – Penalties – Parents’ Defense

                        WAC 180-51-020 - Additional Local Standards

                        AGO 1980 No.6 - Truancy – Enforcement of compulsory attendance law

Revised: November 13, 2014

3000 Series Revised and Adopted June 24, 1999

 North Kitsap School District