SPS Student Attendance

Unexcused Absences and Truancy –
WA State Law “Becca Bill”

A state law, called the “Becca Bill,” requires children between 8 and 18 to attend public school regularly, with few exceptions. The Becca Bill also requires schools and parents to make sure children attend school. When students have repeated unexcused absences, it is called “truancy.”

If a student has unexcused absences, Washington State law requires that schools take specific actions:

---

How to Check Attendance and Report Student Absences

Parents and guardians can check their student’s attendance on The Source.

To report a student absence, contact your student’s school attendance office:

Contacts and Support

Contact the SPS Attendance Office if you have questions about truancy or an attendance letter you’ve received from the district or court:

SPS Attendance Office
attendance@seattleschools.org
206-252-0827

Please contact your student’s school directly if:

• Your need to report a student absence
• You have a question about an automated message you received

---

Compulsory Attendance Letters

We are dedicated to providing the best educational experience for our students and part of that is increasing attendance and reducing chronic absenteeism.

• Attendance Compulsory Letter – Amharic
• Attendance Compulsory Letter – Chinese
• Attendance Compulsory Letter – English
• Attendance Compulsory Letter – Oromo
• Attendance Compulsory Letter – Somali
• Attendance Compulsory Letter – Spanish
• Attendance Compulsory Letter – Tagalog
• Attendance Compulsory Letter – Tigrigna
• Attendance Compulsory Letter – Vietnamese

Why Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Matter

Seattle Public Schools’ Commitment to Increasing Student Attendance and Reducing Chronic Absenteeism

Seattle Public Schools, along with the Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) and neighboring districts, have committed to addressing chronic absenteeism.

Attendance has been proven to be one of the most powerful predictors of academic achievement and can have a dramatic impact on key milestones, including third grade reading, 9th grade achievement, high school graduation, and life success.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing 10% of school, regardless of the reason — that’s 18 days in a school year!

A focus on chronic absenteeism examines the link between loss of instructional time and academic achievement. An awareness of chronic absenteeism and its potential impact will empower students, families, and communities to make informed decisions regarding missing school.

We are dedicated to providing the best educational experience for our students and part of that is increasing attendance and reducing chronic absenteeism.

Regular school attendance is the key to student academic success.

• Research shows that missing 10% of the school year for any reason negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
• 10% is equivalent to missing 2 days a month.
• All children in Washington state have a constitutionally guaranteed right to an education. They are also legally required to attend school.

Resources for Families

• Seattle Public Schools Family Resources: Immigrant Students and Families
• When Your Child is Too Sick For School?
  • When Your Child Is Too Sick School – Chinese
  • When Your Child Is Too Sick For School – English
  • When Your Child Is Too Sick For School – Spanish
  • When Your Child Is Too Sick For School – Vietnamese
• Attendance Works Parent Handouts – creating school habits, resources by grade level
• Importance of Attendance
• Impact of Chronic Absenteeism
• Office of the Education Ombuds: Tips/Tools for Families: School Attendance, Absences and Truancy
• Your child’s school and teacher