New Iowa law hopes to curb absenteeism

Hunter
08/27/24

A new law passed by Iowa legislators aims to curb chronic absenteeism among school kids.

The Gazette reports about 23 percent of Iowa students were absent at a ten percent or better level in the 2022-23 school year, compared with pre-pandemic levels of about 13 percent.

Iowa Department of Education data indicates that students of color, those who are new to the English language, are part of a low-income family or suffer disabilities miss school at a higher rate than their peers.

The new law requires schools to send a certified letter to their parent or guardian and notify the county attorney if a student misses 10 percent or more days in a grading period. Once a student is classified as a truant by missing 20 percent or more days in a grading period or semester, families will be referred to their county’s attorney, who will decide what action to take.

Exceptions to the attendance policy include completion of graduation requirements and medical reasons.

Republican representative Carter Nordman is chairman of the Iowa House education budget committee.  He believes the new law will help get kids back to the classroom ready to learn.