Attendance Resources

An unexcused absence means we did not receive communication from the family giving the reason for the absence. An excused absence means the school has determined the absence reason is legitimate and will not impose any school-based disciplinary action. An exempt absence means the absence is exempted from the Iowa Code and will not be counted toward the chronic absenteeism law.

An absence can be excused by the school but not exempt by the state. For example, a family vacation will be excused by the school, but the absence will still count toward the calculation of chronic absenteeism and truancy in accordance with Iowa Code.

Yes — for Iowa Code, the days start over at semester for secondary schools and trimester for elementary schools.

Students who are absent from school for a religious service, holiday, or instruction will be considered absent, but it will be excused and exempt from chronic absenteeism laws.

 If a student is absent from school for a religious service, holiday, or instruction, the absence will be excused, and it will be exempt from chronic absenteeism laws.

Per the Iowa Department of Education Guidance, religious services may include holiday services, weddings, funerals and other celebrations of life, and other rite of passage religious services. 
 

Family-reported illnesses may be excused by the school but not exempt from Iowa Code and would count towards chronic absenteeism and truancy days. Without a doctor’s note, these days may accumulate and count towards the semester/trimester missed days.

When a school nurse sends a student home for health-related reasons, the absence will be considered medically exempt. A medically exempt absence is recorded as an absence but will be considered excused and exempt from chronic absenteeism laws. 

With a doctor’s note, this would be considered a medically exempt absence. This means the absence is recorded but will be excused and exempt from chronic absenteeism laws.

It may be possible for one note to cover recurring appointments. Please speak with a building administrator regarding your specific situation.

Per Iowa Code and Iowa Department of Education guidance, absences for non-school-related activities are not exempt. They may be excused by the school, but days missed will count towards chronic absenteeism. Please notify your building administrator regarding your specific situation.

If a student will be absent for 10 or more consecutive days, talk to your building administrator. If your student will miss more than 30 consecutive school days, they will need to unenroll.