Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

     Purpose: The purpose of this proposed rule is to establish a standard definition for absences from school in the K-12 education system. Standard definition will facilitate the collection and reporting of comparable data and the calculation of indicators as required in the PASS act.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.300.046.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 12-11-095 on May 21, 2012.

     Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: Added language to clarify that an absence is excused when they attend a medical appointment for an individual for whom they are legally responsible.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: June 27, 2012.

Randy Dorn

State Superintendent

OTS-4793.3

NEW SECTION
WAC 392-400-325   Statewide definition of excused and unexcused daily absences.  

Excused daily absences

     The following are valid excuses for absences from school:

     (1) Participation in a district or school approved activity or instructional program;

     (2) Illness, health condition or medical appointment (including, but not limited to, medical, counseling, dental or optometry) for the student or person for who the student is legally responsible;

     (3) Family emergency including, but not limited to, a death or illness in the family;

     (4) Religious or cultural purpose including observance of a religious or cultural holiday or participation in religious or cultural instruction;

     (5) Court, judicial proceeding, or serving on a jury;

     (6) Post-secondary, technical school or apprenticeship program visitation, or scholarship interview;

     (7) State-recognized search and rescue activities consistent with RCW 28A.225.055;

     (8) Absence directly related to the student's homeless status;

     (9) Absences related to deployment activities of a parent or legal guardian who is an active duty member consistent with RCW 28A.705.010;

     (10) Absence resulting from a disciplinary/corrective action (e.g., short-term or long-term suspension, emergency expulsion); and

     (11) Principal (or designee) and parent, guardian, or emancipated youth mutually agreed upon approved activity.

     The school principal (or designee) has the authority to determine if an absence meets the above criteria for an excused absence.

Unexcused daily absences

     Any absence from school is unexcused unless it meets one of the criteria above for an excused absence.

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