It's no suprise that attending school is important. However, did you know that Attendance has been increasingly the focus of attention among school divisions and educators. According to research, regular attendance is a significant factor in a student’s success:

• Chronic absenteeism correlates to low academic achievement.

• It is a powerful predictor of high school dropout.

• It has been linked to poor outcomes later in life.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing ten percent or more of the academic year for any reason, including excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions. Based on a 180-day school year, that means approximately 18 days per year or 2 to 3 days per month.

Truancy is the act of accruing one or more unexcused absences, where the parent is unaware of or does not support the student’s absence, or where the parent’s provided reason for the absence is not acceptable to the school administration.

Missed instruction, regardless of the reason, can have significant academic consequences. Therefore, the broader emphasis is on improving attendance for every student.

The codes and regulations relevant to attendance and absenteeism include the following:

• The Code of Virginia § 22.1-254 addresses compulsory attendance and exemptions to compulsory attendance.

• The Code of Virginia § 22.1-258 addresses truancy and the intervention process.

• Chapter 730 of the Administrative Code of Virginia consists of three sections:

  • 8VAC-20-730-10 establishes definitions as it relates to the attendance policies and the collection and reporting of truancy.

  • 8VAC-20-730-20 establishes the unexcused absence intervention process and responsibilities.

  • 8VAC-20-730-30 establishes data collection and reporting requirements.