Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Education
Board
State Board of Education
chapter
Regulations Governing Unexcused Absences and Truancy [8 VAC 20 ‑ 730]
Action:
Revisions to the Regulations Governing the Collection and Reporting of Truancy (Fast-Track)
Action 5282
 
General Information
Action Summary In November 2016, the Board of Education approved 8 VAC20-730. The Chapter defined terms related to truancy, identified the intervention process for students as it relates to student non-attendance, and identified the data elements required to be reported to the VDOE. In 2018, the Virginia General Assembly, amended § 22.1-258 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the appointment of attendance officers; notification when pupil fails to report to school; plan; conference; and court proceedings. In response, the Virginia Department of Education drafted amendments to 8 VAC20-730: Regulations Governing the Collection and Reporting of Truancy. Substantive changes made to the regulations include expanding the number of days a parent has to provide an excuse for an absence from three days to five days. The amendment will provide school division personnel the time to work with students and families to address excused versus unexcused absences. Additionally, in response to feedback from data specialists from around the Commonwealth, the amendments remove the specific data collection requirements and reflect that data will be collected based on § 22.1-258 of the Code of Virginia. The change to data collection requirements reflect a need for the agency to be responsive to changes in § 22.1-258 of the Code of Virginia.
Chapters Affected Only affects this chapter.
Executive Branch Review This action will go through the normal Executive Branch Review process.
RIS Project Yes  [006016]
Associated Mandates Revise Regulations Governing the Collection and Reporting of Truancy Related Data and Student Attendance Policies (8VAC20-730) to comport with process changes.
New Periodic Review This action will not be used to conduct a new periodic review.
 
Stages
Stages associated with this regulatory action.
Stage ID Stage Type Status
8625 Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/18/2021.
 
Contact Information
Name / Title: Mrs. Maribel Saimre   / Director, Office of Student Services
Address: 101 North 14th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Email Address: maribel.saimre@doe.virginia.gov
Phone: (804)225-2818    FAX: ()-    TDD: ()-