Truancy/Becca Bill – Grades K-5
Truancy and the Becca Bill
If a student has unexcused absences, Washington State law requires that schools/districts take the following actions:
5 excused absences in a month
Schedule a family conference, convene 504/IEP and/or McKinney-Vento team if applicable.
10 excused absences in the school year
Schedule a family conference, convene 504/IEP and/or McKinney-Vento team if applicable.
1st unexcused absence
Inform parent/Guardian in home language.
3rd unexcused absences
Schedule a meeting/conference with the parent/legal guardian and student. Convene 504/IEP/McKinney-Vento if applicable.
Between the 2nd and 7th unexcused absence
The school is required to take data informed steps* to address barriers to attendance.
7th unexcused absences within 30 days
School must either enter into a written agreement with the family, refer to District Attendance Office, or file a truancy petition in juvenile court.
15th unexcused absences in a school year
School must enter into a written agreement, if not done so yet. District Attendance Office will file Truancy Petition.
The Becca Bill
Washington State Compulsory School Attendance and Admission Law
All children/youth in Washington State have a right to an education. All children/ youth are also legally required to attend school. Washington’s truancy law is often also referred to as the “Becca Bill”. It is intended to reengage the student and to stop truancy before it becomes a problem. Schools and families should work together as a team to ensure school attendance and student safety. School attendance is required by law for all children ages 8-17 unless the child is: Receiving home-based instruction or enrolled in private schoolAttending a certified education center devoted to teaching basic academic skills, orExcused by the school superintendent because they are physically or mentally unable to attend school.
The law also applies to children ages 6 and 7 if enrolled in a public school.
Why do truancy laws exist?
- By 3rd grade, chronically absent students, especially those who have experienced multiple years of poor attendance, are less likely to read on grade level.
- 1 in 6 students who fail to read proficiently by 3rd grade fail to graduate from high school.
- While what happens in school matters, school attendance is deeply affected by family circumstances. Young children depend upon their primary caregivers to ensure they arrive at school every day.
- Students are at risk academically if they miss 10% of the school year, or about eighteen days. Once too many absences have occurred, absences can affect learning, regardless of whether absences are excused or unexcused.
Truancy laws exists in order to make sure that no child falls through the cracks and that the proper accommodations and interventions are in place to address the barriers to regular school attendance. School districts around the state have different rules and regulations about student attendance and how parents should excuse absences. Be sure to read the attendance policies in your school district and discuss them with your student.
Seattle Public Schools Approach
In partnership with King County Superior Court, Seattle Public Schools is working with the BECCA Court Program Coordinator in order to take a preemptive and restorative approach to help keep young people engaged in their education while addressing the barriers to attendance in a holistic way. Seattle Public Schools is committed to eliminating opportunity gaps to ensure access and provide excellence in education for every student, by increasing regular attendance practices.
Resources
Step Up (Building Respectful family Relationships): 206-477-2071, Children and Family Justice Center 1211 E. Alder St. Seattle, WA 98122
The Bobbe J Bridge Resource Center – Heather Patrick, 206-263-8634, hpatrick@kingcounty.gov
Parent Support Group – Heather Patrick, Virtual Support Group, 206-263-8634
Friends of Youth– Family Services, Housing, Vocational Support & More 206-859-6290
Mental Health: Nexus, Valley Cities, Youth East Side Services, Sound Mental Health, Conejos, Asian Counseling Services, Navos, Renton Youth and Family, Therapeutic Health Services, Hopelink.
LGBTQ Supports: Seattle Counseling Services, Northwest Network, Youth Care, PFLAG, GLOBE, Lambert House.
Housing Resources: Treehouse, Cacoon House, Youth Care, HopeLink,
Children’s Crisis Outreach Response
206-461-3222
Unleash The Brilliance – Inspire, Connect, Empower, Educate. Terrel Dorsey, 253-441-6276
SPS McKinney Vento
206-252-0660