HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 2072

Title:  An act relating to school attendance policies.

Brief Description:  Requiring that grading policies that consider school attendance be applied school‑wide and provide for notice and a hearing.

Sponsors:  Representatives Kastama, McDonald, Bush, Wood, Sullivan, Boldt, Hickel, Doumit, Anderson, O'Brien, Lantz and Dunn.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  March 3, 1997.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Joe Hauth (786-7111).

Background:  School districts may establish student grading policies that take a student=s attendance record into account.  If participation in a graded activity is important to mastering the subject, then a student=s grade may be adversely affected by poor attendance.  If a student believes that attendance or tardiness unjustly affected his or her grade, then the student may appeal to the school district. 

Summary of Bill:  Grading policies must be applied to all classrooms within a school unless a teacher establishes a different policy at the beginning of the school year.  If the teacher establishes a different classroom attendance policy, then the teacher must notify the students at the beginning of the school year.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 26, 1997.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.