Compulsory School Attendance

This policy applies to individuals who have custody or control of a child: (a) between the ages of six

(on or before September 1) and 17 years (unless the child has graduated from high school), or (b) who

is enrolled in any of grades kindergarten through 12 in the public school regardless of age.

Subject to specific requirements in State law, the following children are not required to attend public

school: (1) any child attending a private school (including a home school) or parochial school, (2) any

child who is physically or mentally unable to attend school (including a pregnant student suffering

medical complications as certified by her physician), (3) any child lawfully and necessarily employed,

(4) any child over 12 and under 14 years of age while in confirmation classes, (5) any child absent

because of religious reasons, including to observe a religious holiday, for religious instruction, or

because his or her religion forbids secular activity on a particular day(s) or time of day, and (6) any

child 16 years of age or older who is employed and is enrolled in a graduation incentives program.

The parent/guardian of a student who is enrolled must authorize all absences from school and notify

the school in advance or at the time of the student’s absence. A valid cause for absence includes illness

(including mental or behavioral health of the student), attendance at a verified medical or therapeutic

appointment (including a victim services provider), observance of a religious holiday, death in the

immediate family, attendance at a civic event, family emergency, other situations beyond the control

of the student as determined by the Board, voting pursuant to policy 7:90, Release During School Hours

(10 ILCS 5/7-42 and 5/17-15), other circumstances that cause reasonable concern to the parent/guardian

for the student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or safety, or other reason as approved by the

Superintendent or designee. For students who are parents, expectant parents, or victims of domestic or

sexual violence, valid cause for absence also includes the fulfillment of a parenting responsibility and

addressing circumstances resulting from domestic or sexual violence. Students absent for a valid cause

may make up missed homework and classwork assignments in a reasonable timeframe.

Absenteeism and Truancy Program

The Superintendent or designee shall manage an absenteeism and truancy program in accordance with

the School Code and School Board policy. The program shall include but not be limited to:

1. A protocol for excusing a student from attendance who is necessarily and lawfully employed.

The Superintendent or designee is authorized to determine when the student’s absence is

justified.

2. A protocol for excusing a student in grades 6 through 12 from attendance to sound Taps at a

military honors funeral held in Illinois for a deceased veteran.

3. A protocol for excusing a student from attendance on a particular day(s) or at a particular time

of day when his/her parent/guardian is an active duty member of the uniformed services and

has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from deployment to

a combat zone or combat-support postings.

4. A process to telephone, within two hours after the first class, the parents/guardians of students

in grade 8 or below who are absent without prior parent/guardian notification.

5. A process to identify and track students who are truants, chronic or habitual truants, or truant

minors as defined in 105 ILCS 5/26-2a.

6. A description of diagnostic procedures for identifying the cause(s) of a student’s unexcused

absenteeism, including interviews with the student, his or her parent(s)/guardian(s), and staff

members or other people who may have information about the reasons for the student’s

attendance problem.

7. The identification of supportive services that may be offered to truant, chronically truant, or

chronically absent students, including parent-teacher conferences, student and/or family

counseling, and information about available community services relevant to such students'

needs. See Board policy 6:110, Programs for Students At Risk of Academic Failure and/or

Dropping Out of School and Graduation Incentives Program.

8. A process for the collection and review of chronic absence data and to:

a. Determine what systems of support and resources are needed to engage chronically

absent students and their families, and

b. Encourage the habit of daily attendance and promote success.

9. Reasonable efforts to provide ongoing professional development to all school personnel, Board

members, and school resource officers on the appropriate and available supportive services for

the promotion of student attendance and engagement.

10. A process to request the assistance and resources of outside agencies, such as, the juvenile

officer of the local police department or the truant office of the appropriate Regional Office of

Education, if truancy continues after supportive services have been offered.

11. A protocol for cooperating with non-District agencies including County or municipal

authorities, the Regional Superintendent, truant officers, the Community Truancy Review

Board, and a comprehensive community based youth service agency. Any disclosure of school

student records must be consistent with Board policy 7:340, Student Records, as well as State

and federal law concerning school student records.

12. An acknowledgement that no punitive action, including out-of-school suspensions, expulsions,

or court action, shall be taken against a truant minor for his or her truancy unless available

supportive services and other school resources have been provided to the student.

13. The criteria to determine whether a student’s non-attendance is due to extraordinary

circumstances shall include economic or medical necessity or family hardship and such other

criteria that the Superintendent believes qualifies.

Updating

Pursuant to State law and Board policy 2:240, Board Policy Development, the Board updates this policy

at least once every two years. The Superintendent or designee shall assist the Board with its update.

LEGAL REF.: 105 ILCS 5/22-92 and 5/26-1 through 5/26-3, 5/26-5 through 5/26-16, 5/26-18, and

5/26A.

705 ILCS 405/3-33.5, Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

23 Ill.Admin.Code §§1.242 and Part 207.

CROSS REF.: 5:100 (Staff Development Program), 6:110 (Programs for Students At Risk of

Academic Failure and/or Dropping Out of School and Graduation Incentives

Program), 6:150 (Home and Hospital Instruction), 7:10 (Equal Educational

Opportunities), 7:50 (School Admissions and Student Transfers To and From Non-

District Schools), 7:60 (Residence), 7:80 (Release Time for Religious

Instruction/Observance), 7:90 (Release During School Hours), 7:190 (Student

Behavior), 7:255 (Students Who are Parents, Expectant Parents, or Victims of

Domestic or Sexual Violence), 7:340 (Student Records)

Adopted: August 25, 2025