Des Moines metro schools grapple with implementing and paying for new absenteeism law
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
A new state law imposing stricter K-12 attendance requirements is costing Iowa schools thousands of dollars.
Why it matters: Chronic absenteeism remains a problem in Iowa following a post-COVID spike. And beyond the new law's costs, some officials worry it doesn't address the root causes, especially among low-income families.
Driving the news: The Iowa Legislature this year passed a law requiring schools to send certified mail to families whose students have missed 10% or more of their classes for the academic period.
Yes, but: That 10% can range between school districts given differences in calendars. An Axios survey of local metro schools found that 10% equates to a range of five to nine missed days. Previously, a first offense statewide was 10 days.
- The new law also imposes stricter guidelines for exempted absences, while schools previously had more discretion.
- For example: College visits and family vacations are considered unexcused now under state law.
Follow the money: Des Moines Public Schools set aside $70,000 for mail warnings this school year and has spent $9,000 so far.
- Johnston allocated $25,000 and has spent $1,674.
- So far this year Waukee has spent $2,700, and West Des Moines has spent $1,000 notifying parents.
Threat level: Around the state, school officials are still figuring out how to navigate the rules without over-penalizing families who may be struggling.
- Per the law, if a student is absent 20% or more during an academic period, the school must refer the guardian to the county attorney's office for truancy considerations.
- In the metro, that ranges from nine to 11 days for the first quarter of the year.
What they're saying: In Decorah, high school principal Brad Hurst told the Decorah Leader that while the law is well-intended, absenteeism is more than just a number, and the rules make it difficult to treat families in different situations fairly.
- A column by Iowa City High School students argued that chronic absenteeism may be caused by larger issues the law does not address, such as lack of transportation or social struggles.
The big picture: Students nationwide are struggling with chronic absenteeism, and some face more dire attendance records than those in the Des Moines area, especially as more parents believe it's OK for kids to miss class in light of pandemic-era virtual learning.
- In D.C., 60% of high school students were chronically absent in 2023.
Some good news: Since 2020, the percentage of chronically absent students at Des Moines schools has dropped.
- In 2021-22, almost 50% of students were considered chronically absent. That fell to 44% last school year.
Plus: The Polk County Attorney's Office has received 2,930 notifications regarding students who were chronically absent this year.
- Four charges have been filed, though they would have been filed under the old law as well.
What they're saying: Only six guardians have been referred this year for truancy out of the nearly 3,000 notifications.
- The county attorney is collaborating with the families and school officials to create a plan to help the students before they face escalating consequences.
What we're watching: At Ankeny schools, reasons for chronic absenteeism this year have ranged from prolonged illnesses to student anxiety about attending class, Tara Owen, director of Ankeny Elementary Schools, tells Axios.
- The new law has created more initial administrative work, says spokesperson Samantha Aukes, but it's also provided the district a wider chance to talk about the consequences of missing class.
- "That will follow the trajectory of their lives," Aukes says, noting that chronic absenteeism can influence everything from literacy rates to high school graduation.
Editor's note: The story has been corrected to note the Polk County Attorney's Office has filed four charges (not zero charges) related to absenteeism this year.