EeLA Attendance Policy
Edmonds eLearning Academy Attendance Policy
Attendance Line: 425-431-3910
Email: Attendance Secretary
Student Absence Pre-Approval Form
Edmonds eLearning Academy is an Alternative Learning Experience Program (ALE) and must comply with truancy guidance from the state of Washington. WAC 392-550-040 states that every ALE student must-have weekly direct two-way personal contact with a certificated teacher. This communication is in addition to completing assignments (academic progress).
Students who do not meet the weekly contact requirement for 5 consecutive weeks or 6 cumulative weeks without valid justification are considered “truant” and must be referred for a truancy petition and supporting affidavit for civil action with the juvenile court alleging a violation of RCW 28A.225.010 by the parent, the child, or the parent and child.
The school week is defined by WAC 392-550-020(10) as Sunday through Saturday when a district’s schools are in session for at least three days.
Missed weekly contact may be excused only by notifying the Edmonds eLearning Academy attendance office of valid justification. Failure to notify the office before the end of the contact week (Saturday) will result in an unexcused absence. If notifying the attendance office after the week of missed contact, documentation will be required in order to excuse the posted absence.
Valid justification for missing weekly contact includes:
- Illness, health condition, or hospitalization lasting more than one week. Including but not limited to, medical, mental health, chemical dependency, for the student or person for whom the student is legally responsible.
- Family emergencies including, but not limited to, a death or illness in the family. Religious or cultural purpose, including observance of a religious or cultural holiday or participation in religious or cultural instruction.
- Court, a judicial proceeding, court-ordered activity, or jury service.
- Post-secondary, technical school or apprenticeship program visitation, or scholarship interview.
- Court-ordered detention, a judicial proceeding, or jury service.
- Situations related to the student’s homeless or foster care/dependency status.
- Interruption of internet service, lack of necessary instructional tools lasting longer than one week. Excused only if ALE attendance has been notified within three school days of the attendance week. Example: The student’s Chromebook is not functioning during a typical 5 day school week. EeLA must be notified to later than 2:00 PM Friday
- Absences related to deployment activities of a parent who is an active duty member consistent with RCW 28A.705.010.
- Absences due to suspensions, expulsions, or emergency expulsions imposed pursuant to chapter 392-400 WAC if the student is not receiving educational services and is not enrolled in qualifying "course of study" activities as defined in WAC 392-121-107.
- Absences due to student safety concerns, including absences related to threats, assaults, or bullying.
- Absences due to a student's migrant status.
- An approved activity that is consistent with district policy and is mutually agreed upon by the principal or designee and a parent or emancipated youth.
- Principal or designee discretion based on individual circumstances.
- State-recognized search and rescue activities consistent with RCW 28A.225.055;
Absences should be pre-arranged by request when parents have advance knowledge of impending absences. The criteria listed above will determine whether the absence will be excused. The school has the right to not excuse patterns of absences (even with parent notes) perceived as excessive and inhibiting a student’s access to their academics. At such times the school may request that a written doctor’s note/statement be submitted to the school explaining the condition/diagnosis preventing the student from attending school and the anticipated date of return to school before excusing further absences.
The "Becca Bill"
The Compulsory Attendance Law is often referred to as the “Becca Bill”. The purpose of the law is to help stop truancy before it becomes a problem. Schools and families should work together as a team to ensure school attendance and student safety. However, if a student continues to miss Weekly Contact, this law requires that schools and school districts take the following actions for students enrolled in an ALE program:
- One (1) missed weekly contact without valid justification: The school must inform the parent/legal guardian when there is one missed weekly contact. This is done by email as an unexcused absence notice. The email will be sent to the student and guardian emails provided in Skyward on the first school day following the week of missed contact.
- Two (2) consecutive or third (3rd) cumulative missed weekly contact without valid justification: Schedule conference with parent and student, complete needs assessment and Intervention plan
- Five (5) consecutive or sixth (6th) cumulative missed weekly contact without valid justification: File truancy petition
Extenuating Circumstances
On occasion, extenuating circumstances beyond a student’s control may cause him/her to be absent from school for an extended period of time. At these times it is important for the student and parents to work closely with the administrator and/or counselor. Each situation will be handled on an individual basis.