Policies, Guidance, and Data Reporting
Re-Envisioning Truancy Project
OSPI is exploring what equitable truancy policies and practices need to be to engage and support youth to access their education. Find out more by reading the OSPI Re-Envisioning Truancy Project Explainer.
ESSER Attendance and Reengagement
OSPI supports attendance & reengagement through the ESSER Attendance & Reengagement Project. Find out more by reading the Attendance and Reengagement Project Explainer.
Contact Information
Krissy Johnson
Assistant Director of Attendance & EngagementAttendance and truancy in public schools are regulated in Washington state statute (Chapter 28A.225 RCW) and the Washington administrative code (Chapter 392-401 WAC). School districts must report absences and truancy data to OSPI through the Comprehensive Education Data And Research System (CEDARS). Please find guidance for school districts relative to these regulations and reporting below.
- Guidance on Attendance Laws & Rules
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Attendance & Truancy Legally Required Steps (updated to reflect 2021 legislative changes)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Withdrawing Students
- Mental Health Absences
- CEDARS Data Collection Requirement & Guidance
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Guidance regarding absence reporting & truancy actions can be found on the CEDARS web page in these documents:
- CEDARS Manual
- CEDARS Reporting Guidance
- Student Attributes & Programs File I - Appendix F (Values 50-55)
- Truancy Reports
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- 2020-2022 Truancy Legislative Report
- 2019 Truancy Legislative Report
- 2018 Truancy Legislative Report
2017-18 Truancy Report Supplemental Data Files
- Appendix Spreadsheet Grades 1-12
- Appendix Spreadsheet Grades 1-8, by District and County
- Appendix Spreadsheet Grades 9-12, by District and County
Prior year(s) truancy reports and data available upon request. Please contact Krissy Johnson.
- Truancy in Alternative Learning Environments (ALE)
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- Alternative Learning Experience webpage
- Guide to Offering Alternative Learning Experiences (Truancy on Pg.41)
- Alternative Learning Experience 101 is a course on Moodle. It has a really helpful section on Truancy. It's free to create a new account.