Truancy Petitions
Absences are considered "unexcused" if they are not verified by a parent per school district policy and/or they do not meet the definition of an "excused" absence as defined by Chapter 392-401 WAC.
Whether absences are excused or unexcused, chronic absence (missing 10% of school for any reason) puts students at risk of falling behind. Learn more about chronic absence here.
THE LAW
All children in Washington State have a right to an education. Washington state law requires that all children over the age of 8 are enrolled in school and attend full time when school is in session.
Washington’s Becca Law (also known as the "truancy" law) is intended to prevent school dropout and promote student safety. The Becca Law requires that schools make sure parents know when their student is absent, and that schools offer support to students and families to help address barriers to attendance.
To learn more, visit Chapter 28A.225 RCW: COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND ADMISSION (wa.gov)
EXCEPTIONS TO THE BECCA LAW
School attendance is required by law for all children ages 8-17 unless the child is:
Receiving home-based instruction or enrolled in private school
Attending a certified education center devoted to teaching basic academic skills
Excused by the school superintendent because they are physically or mentally unable to attend school.
Children who are 6 or 7 who are enrolled in school are required to attend full time when school is in session.
If a child is 16 or older, they may be excused from attending public school if the child:
Is lawfully and regularly employed and the parent agrees that the child should not be required to attend school
Is emancipated
Has already met graduation requirements
Has earned a certificate of educational competence, or passed the GED
REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOLS
If a student who is required to attend school accumulates unexcused absences, the school is required to:
Notify parents of unexcused absences
Hold a conference to identify the cause of the student's absences
Take steps to help address barriers to attendance and reduce further absences
After 5 unexcused absences, the school may file a truancy petition, refer the student to a Community Truancy Board, or enter into an agreement to address the student’s attendance.
If a student who is required to attend school has 7 unexcused absences in a month or 10 in a year, the law requires school districts to file a truancy petition with juvenile court.
Read more about school's duties under the Becca Law here.
ONCE A PETITION IS FILED
One a truancy petition is filed in King County, it is "stayed" for one calendar year. The King County Education Reengagement Team offers support to students, families, and schools throughout the entirety of their truancy petition to encourage engagement in community resources and avoid the formal court process. Students and families may be offered the opportunity to attend an Education Reengagement Workshop, a Community Attendance Support Team meeting, or other supports or services available through their school district or the King County Education Reengagement Program. If the student's attendance improves, and/or the student, family, and school district make progress toward addressing barriers to the student's school attendance, no action is taken by the Court and the petition is dismissed when it expires.
If those efforts fail to improve the student’s attendance or no progress is made towards resolving barriers to attendance, the Court may intervene through:
Pretrial Conferences
Preliminary Hearing
Review Hearings
Contempt Pretrial Conferences
Contempt/Purge Hearings
Learn more about about the truancy process on the King County Superior Court Truancy Page.
The goal of a truancy petition is not to punish students for past absences, but to prevent further absences, reengage students in their education, and provide opportunities and support to address barriers to attendance and success.