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EAST ST. LOUIS SCHOOL DISTRICT 189 ATTENDANCE PROGRAM SUPPORTS:

  • Assist District Homeless Attendance /Truancy Officers (HAT) and attendance clerks in their expanding role to reduce chronic absenteeism and increase student daily attendance

  • Progress monitor monthly and or bi-monthly attendance meetings at each school campus to review and progress monitor student attendance, chronic absenteeism and make recommendations that will impact attendance

  • Run daily/weekly attendance reports to identify attendance trends and make needed recommendations

  • Meet monthly with HAT Officers for Department Updates 

  • Conduct home visits to determine what recommendations are needed in providing family support/resources that will increase daily attendance.

  • Provide parents with three, six and nine day letters when documenting student absences. Provide interventions that will support students/families.

  • Maintain a clear line of communication with the St. Clair County Regional Office of Education when reviewing potential truancy cases.

  • Coordinate with schools and families to provide enhanced support to students experiencing challenges that will increase student attendance and engagement in education.

  • Conduct building hearings at each campus to address average daily attendance and chronic absenteeism by providing interventions/supports

  • Collaborate with additional district departments and agencies to support students attendance

  • Document and progress monitor the implementation of interventions and strategies that will impact student attendance

  • Recognize students with healthy attendance habits and provide incentives

  • Will work in conjunction with schools to address: compulsory attendance law, assist in removing barriers and provide resources for students/families

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COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE

The compulsory school age for students in the state of Illinois has been 6 – 17 years since the 2014-15 school year. A child is no longer considered of compulsory school attendance age upon turning 17.  Exemptions to compulsory attendance are listed in Section 5/26-1. The latest additions include:

  •  Up to five mental health days. See Public Act 102-0321 and ISBE Guidance.

  • Additional accommodations for students missing school for religious reasons. See Public Act 102-0406. See also Section 5/26- 2b regarding missed school for observance of religious holidays.

  • One day for a civic event. See Public Act 102-0981.

 

ST. CLAIR COUNTY REGIONAL OFFICE OF EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Truancy is not to be taken lightly” As a parent or caregiver, the law obligates you to make sure that your child attends school. A parent or caregiver who fails to meet this obligation may be guilty of an infraction and subject to criminal prosecution pursuant to the Illinois Education Code Compulsory Attendance (105 ILCS 5/26-2a). 

  • What is a valid cause for a school absence? a. Illness b. Observance of a religious holiday c. Death in immediate family d. Family emergency e. Other situations beyond the control of the student as determined by the district’s board of education What is a “Truant?” (105 ILCS 5/26-2a) Sec. 26-2a. A "truant" is defined as a child subject to compulsory school attendance and who is absent without valid cause from such attendance for a school day or portion thereof. 

  • What is a “Chronic truant?” A child at compulsory attendance age who has accumulated 5% or more unexcused absences of the previous 180 regular attendance days. (105 ILCS 5/26-1) Sec. 26-1. Compulsory School Age - Whoever has custody or control of any child between the ages of 6 and 17 years shall cause such child to attend some public school in the district wherein the child resides the entire time it is in session during the regular school term. 

  • The following steps will be taken to improve attendance. 

    1. STEP 1: Three (3) unexcused absences: A letter from your child’s school documenting unexcused absences 

    2. STEP 2: Six (6) unexcused absences: Mandatory meeting with Local Truancy Review Board. Parents must sign an attendance agreement.

    3. STEP 3: Nine (9) unexcused absences: Noncompliance notification sent to St. Clair Regional Office of Education 

    4. STEP 4: Notice to Appear at a Regional Truancy Review Board Hearing for Purpose of Corrective Action 

    5. STEP 5: Failure to attend Regional Truancy Review Board Hearing or Noncompliance to ROE Agreement: COURT APPEARANCE (105 ILCS 5/26-10) Sec. 26-10. Fine for Noncompliance. Any person having custody or control of a child subject to the provisions of this Article to whom notice has been given of the child's truancy and who knowingly and willfully permits such a child to persist in his truancy within that school year, upon conviction thereof shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and shall be subject to not more than 30 days of imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $500.

Note: Schools will use all interventions and supports within reason to impact and improve student attendance.