WSR 17-17-167 PROPOSED RULES SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION [Filed August 23, 2017, 10:19 a.m.] Original Notice. Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 16-22-071. Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 392-401 WAC, Statewide definition of absence, excused and unexcused. Hearing Location(s): On October 31, 2017, at 1:00 p.m., at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Brouillet Conference Room, 600 South Washington Street, Olympia, WA 98501. Date of Intended Adoption: November 3, 2017. Submit Written Comments to: Krissy Johnson, OSPI, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200, email krissy.johnson@k12.wa.us, fax 360-753-4201, by October 31, 2017. Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Kristin Murphy, phone 360-725-6133, fax 360-753-4201, TTY 360-664-3631, email Kristin.murphy@k12.wa.us, by October 24, 2017. Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of this proposed rule is to establish a statewide definition of absence for students enrolled in public schools. The proposed rule would change the current rule's definition of what constitutes an excused or unexcused absence. Reasons Supporting Proposal: Several recent developments have necessitated a revision of the existing rule: (1) OSPI is publicly displaying chronic absenteeism data through the key performance indicator analytics; (2) United States Department of Education (USDOE) is collecting an annual chronic absenteeism report; (3) USDOE Office of Civil Rights collects chronic absenteeism in its civil rights data collection; and (4) chronic absenteeism is included in Washington state's draft ESSA plan. The intent of the rule making is to align OSPI's state data collection with federal reporting and create consistent reporting across the state so as to increase data quality and comparability as accountability for and the visibility of chronic absenteeism increases. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.300.046. Statute Being Implemented: RCW 28A.300.046. Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision. Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Krissy Johnson, OSPI, 600 South Washington Street, Olympia, WA, 360-725-6045; and Enforcement: Dixie Grunenfelder, OSPI, 600 South Washington Street, Olympia, WA, 360-725-0415. A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135. A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. OSPI is not subject to RCW 34.05.328 per subsection (5)(a)(i). Additionally, this rule is not a significant legislative rule per subsection (5)(c)(iii). The proposed rule does not impose more-than-minor costs on businesses. Following is a summary of the agency's analysis showing how the costs were calculated. No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The proposed amendment does not have an impact on small business and therefore does not meet the requirements for a statement under RCW 19.85.030 (1) or (2). August 23, 2017 Chris P. S. Reykdal State Superintendent
of Public Instruction
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
Chapter 392-401 WAC
STATEWIDE DEFINITION OF ABSENCE, EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED NEW SECTION
WAC 392-401-005 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a definition of absence to districts that supports accurate and consistent attendance data collection across the state. This effort will support the state and districts to address the challenge of chronic absenteeism, in an effort to improve learning outcomes and success in school for all students and to support the whole child.
NEW SECTION
WAC 392-401-010 Authority.
The authority for this chapter is RCW 28A.300.046, which requires the superintendent of public instruction to adopt rules establishing a standard definition of student absence from school.
NEW SECTION
WAC 392-401-015 Definition of absent or absence.
(1) "Absent" or "absence" means a student is:
(a) Not physically present on school grounds; and
(b) Not participating in instruction or instruction-related activities at an approved off-grounds location for at least fifty percent of the student's scheduled school day.
(2) Absences due to suspensions, expulsions or emergency expulsions imposed pursuant to chapter 392-400 WAC should be reported as excused absences, unless the student is receiving educational services as required by RCW 28A.600.015 and chapter 392-400 WAC.
(3) A student who is marked tardy to class is not absent unless the student otherwise meets the criteria for absence provided in WAC 392-401-015(1).
NEW SECTION
WAC 392-401-020 Excused absences.
The following are valid excuses for absences from school:
(1) Participation in a district or school approved activity, that is not instruction-related;
(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) Absences due to suspensions, expulsions or emergency expulsions imposed pursuant to chapter 392-400 WAC, unless the student is receiving educational services as required by RCW 28A.600.015 and chapter 392-400 WAC; 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.
NEW SECTION
WAC 392-401-030 Unexcused absences.
Any absence from school is unexcused unless it meets one of the criteria provided in WAC 392-401-015.
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