Outline of the state of Kansas
State
Kansas
Encourages or requires comprehensive student supports

Category
Chronic Absenteeism Early Warning Systems

Category
Chronic Absenteeism Early Warning Systems

State law encourages or requires districts to address truancy or chronic absenteeism through the provision of comprehensive student support services.

Kansas Statutes 72-3121. Same; noncompliance; duties of boards of education secretary for children and families county and district attorneys; agreements between secretary and county or district attorneys duties; notification of absence to parent

(c)(4) Whenever a determination is made in accordance with the provisions of this subsection that a child is not attending school as required by law, the designated employee who is responsible for such determination shall make a report thereof in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a), provided that the report would not violate the terms of the memorandum of understanding approved by the superintendent of the school district pursuant to K.S.A. 72-6143(i), and amendments thereto.

  • (5) The provisions of this subsection are subject to the provisions of subsection (d).

(d)(1) Prior to making any report under this section that a child is not attending school as required by law, the designated employee of the board of education shall serve written notice thereof, by personal delivery or by first class mail, upon a parent or person acting as parent of the child. The notice shall inform the parent or person acting as parent that continued failure of the child to attend school without a valid excuse will result in a report being made to the secretary for children and families or to the county or district attorney. Upon failure, on the school day next succeeding personal delivery of the notice or within three school days after the notice was mailed, of attendance at school by the child or of an acceptable response, as determined by the designated employee, to the notice by a parent or person acting as parent of the child, the designated employee shall make a report thereof in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a). The designated employee shall submit with the report a certificate verifying the manner in which notice was provided to the parent or person acting as parent.

  • (2) Whenever a law enforcement officer assumes temporary custody of a child who is found away from home or school without a valid excuse during the hours school is actually in session, and the law enforcement officer delivers the child to the school in which the child is enrolled or to a location designated by the school in which the child is enrolled to address truancy issues, the designated employee of the board of education shall serve notice thereof upon a parent or person acting as parent of the child. The notice may be oral or written and shall inform the parent or person acting as parent of the child that the child was absent from school without a valid excuse and was delivered to school by a law enforcement officer.

(e) Whenever the secretary for children and families receives a report required under this section, the secretary shall investigate the matter. If, during the investigation, the secretary determines that the reported child is not attending school as required by law, the secretary shall institute proceedings under the revised Kansas code for care of children. If, during the investigation, the secretary determines that a criminal prosecution should be considered, the secretary shall make a report of the case to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

(f) Whenever a county or district attorney receives a report required under this section, the county or district attorney shall investigate the matter. If, during the investigation, the county or district attorney determines that the reported child is not attending school as required by law, the county or district attorney shall prepare and file a petition alleging that the child is a child in need of care. If, during the investigation, the county or district attorney determines that a criminal prosecution is necessary, the county or district attorney shall commence such action.

(g) As used in this section, "board of education" means the board of education of a school district or the governing authority of a nonpublic school. The provisions of this act shall apply to both public and nonpublic schools.

Policy Type
Statute

Kansas Statutes 72-3133. Inventory of community services; recommendations for further services.

Any school attendance review board established pursuant to K.S.A. 72-8239 shall maintain a continuing inventory of community resources, including alternative educational programs, and make recommendations for the improvement of such resources and programs or for the creation of new resources and programs where none exist.

Policy Type
Statute

Kansas Statutes 72-3135. Referral of students; notice; resolving the problem.

(a) If a pupil is required by law to attend school and is irregular in attendance at school, the pupil may be referred to the school attendance review board. Each board of education shall designate one or more employees to make such referrals. Upon making a referral, the employee shall notify the pupil and the pupil’s parents or guardians, in writing, of the name and address of the school attendance review board and of the reason for the referral. The notice shall indicate that the pupil and parents or guardians of the pupil will be required, along with the referring person, to meet with the school attendance review board to consider a proper disposition of the referral.

(b) If the school attendance review board determines that available community services can resolve the problem of the referred pupil, the board shall direct the pupil or the pupil’s parents or guardians, or both, to make use of those community services. The school attendance review board may require, at such time as it determines proper, the pupil or parents or guardians of the pupil, or both, to furnish satisfactory evidence of participation in the available community services.

(c) If the school attendance review board determines that available community services cannot resolve the problem of the referred pupil or if the pupil or the pupil’s parents or guardians, or both, have failed to respond to directives of the school attendance review board or to services provided, the school attendance review board may notify the secretary for children and families or the appropriate county or district attorney. If the case is referred to the district court, the school attendance review board shall submit to the district court documentation of efforts to secure attendance as well as the board’s recommendations on what action the district court shall take in order to bring about proper disposition of the case.

Policy Type
Statute