The purpose of this chapter is to:

(1) Define student absence for school districts in order to support accurate and consistent attendance data collection across the state; and

(2) Establish the minimum criteria of a multitiered system of support for attendance that each school district must implement in order to address barriers to student attendance, provide timely interventions and best practices to reduce chronic absenteeism and truancy as required under chapter 28A.225 RCW.

Attendance data is timely, actionable, and measures when a student has accessed instruction. Attendance data highlights the inequities in our systems and signals areas for system and school improvement. Attendance data also signals to adults when students might need additional support.

These rules support the state and school districts to address the challenge of chronic absenteeism, improve learning outcomes and success in school for all students and support the whole child.