Policies, Guidance, and Data Reporting

Attendance 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

Attendance & Truancy Legally Required Steps (updated to reflect 2021 legislative changes)

• Elementary Attendance & Truancy Required Steps - English | Spanish
• Secondary Attendance & Truancy Required Steps - English | Spanish

Frequently Asked Questions

Attendance & Truancy FAQ (October 14, 2024)

Withdrawing Students

• State Requirements that Impact Student Enrollment & Withdrawal 
• Withdrawing Students Webinar Recording (March 23,2023)
• Withdrawing Students Webinar Slides (March 23, 2023)
• Locating Enrollment Records of Students who Have Been Withdrawn
• Updated Guidance on Withdrawing Students Webinar Slides (June 5, 2024)

Mental Health Absences 

• Mental Health Related Absences: Guidance to Support Implementation of House Bill 1834 - Comprehensive Guidance (August 22, 2022) 
• Mental Health Absences (HB 1834) Explainer-Read the overview of new bill requirements and answers to frequently asked questions. 
• Chapter 392-401 WAC-Statewide Definition of Absence, Excused and Unexcused. 
• OSPI Webinar on Mental Health Related Absence Guidance (August 23, 2022). 

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.

CEDARS Data Collection Requirement & Guidance 

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

• 2020-2022 Truancy Legislative Report
• 2019 Truancy Legislative Report
• 2018 Truancy Legislative Report

Truancy Report Supplemental Data Files

• 2022-23 Truancy Reports Appendix Spreadsheet Grades 1-12

Prior year(s) truancy reports and data available upon request. Please contact Attendance@k12.wa.us.

Truancy in Alternative Learning Environments (ALE)

• Alternative Learning Experience webpage

Legislative History of Attendance in Washington

Truancy in Washington State has evolved from a punitive approach to one that addresses the root causes and gaps preventing students from attending school. Several changes to truancy laws have been enacted to improve student attendance rates. Legislation includes House Bill 2449 (2016), which mandates the use of community truancy boards, and House Bill 1170 (2017), which refines the truancy intervention process. Below you can review recent legislation regarding truancy. 

HB 2449 (2016)

• Mandated Community Truancy Boards  
• Required schools to inform parents about the benefits of regular attendance  
• Outlined that districts conference with elementary parents when a student has met certain attendance thresholds. 

HB 1170 (2017)

• Mandated Community Truancy Boards 
• Enhanced school-based efforts to identify and support students at risk of truancy 
• Refined court-based intervention processes to ensure timely and effective responses to truancy.  

SB 5290 (2019)

• Removed detention for contempt of truancy, dependency, or child in need of services orders by July 1, 2021. 

HB 1113 (2021)

• Schools are required to implement proactive measures to address absenteeism early. 
• Enhanced communication and collaboration with families to support student attendance. 
• Increased access to support services for students facing attendance challenges.