EAST ST. LOUIS SCHOOL DISTRICT 189 ATTENDANCE PROGRAM SUPPORTS:
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ST. CLAIR COUNTY REGIONAL OFFICE OF EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
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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).
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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.
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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.
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The following steps will be taken to improve attendance.
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STEP 1: Three (3) unexcused absences: A letter from your child’s school documenting unexcused absences
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STEP 2: Six (6) unexcused absences: Mandatory meeting with Local Truancy Review Board. Parents must sign an attendance agreement.
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STEP 3: Nine (9) unexcused absences: Noncompliance notification sent to St. Clair Regional Office of Education
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STEP 4: Notice to Appear at a Regional Truancy Review Board Hearing for Purpose of Corrective Action
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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.
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Note: Schools will use all interventions and supports within reason to impact and improve student attendance.