SB 5426-S.E - DIGEST

(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 3/10/05)

Finds that there is a need to review current laws and rules that govern school attendance requirements. The legislature is concerned about the attendance of youth in the educational system and the impact truancy and students dropping out of school have on schools and communities.

Convenes a Washington state task force to evaluate the following: (1) Review the implementation of the Becca bill and other school attendance measures to determine their consistent application across the state and their conformance with state law;

(2) The definition of excused and unexcused absences;

(3) Creating incentives for school districts to improve student attendance; and

(4) Related data collection requirements on graduation, dropouts, student transfer, and other issues related to student attendance.