3123P: Withdrawal Prior to Graduation

3123P: Withdrawal Prior to Graduation

1. Withdrawal Process for Students Under 18:

A student under the age of 18 must be withdrawn from school by their parent or guardian in writing either via e-mail or by physically submitting a letter to the registrar.  If the District receives a records request from another school, the student will be withdrawn.

2. Students who are over 18:

A student who is 18 years of age or older may withdraw from school on their own, in writing either via e-mail or by physically submitting a letter to the registrar.  If the District receives a records request from another school, the student will be withdrawn.

If the student is living with their parents/guardians at the time of the withdrawal, parent/guardians will be notified of the withdrawal unless there is legal documentation restricting communication of parents/guardians.

3. Beginning of the year Withdrawal and Student Location Discovery:

The school will not withdraw a student who has not attended at the beginning of the year, unless a formal withdrawal has been submitted in writing via e-mail or letter to the registrar until the last school day of September of that school year.  The withdrawal date will be in the student information system as last school day in September unless:

• If confirmation of enrollment in another school happened prior to September 30th then the day prior to the start of the student’s enrollment date at the new school will be used.  If the student started their enrollment at the new school on that school’s first day, the student’s withdrawal date will be the last day of the previous school year.
• If we receive confirmation that the student moved out of District after the first day of school, but prior to September 30th then the date of the move, if known, will be used.  If date is not known, then the date of notification will be used.  If the student was confirmed to have moved out of District on or prior to the first day of school the student’s withdrawal date will be the last day of the previous school year.

Any withdrawal after the last school day in September will be indicated in the student information system as the date the action took place or the day prior to the confirmed start date at the student’s new school.  While it is discouraged to “pre-enroll” students before attending their first day, a summer withdrawal date may be used if an active student new to the District enrolled and never attended due to a change of mind or circumstances where they have confirmed enrollment in their previous school or another school outside of the Bellevue School District.

As the law requires, every reasonable effort will be made to discover the whereabouts of the student to reengage them in their education or determine enrollment.

This includes:

• Sending emails, making phone calls and/or sending text messages to parents/guardians and student when applicable
• Sending letters to the last known home address
• Reaching out via phone or e-mail to emergency contacts
• Conducting home visits

4. Handling of Extended Absences (20 consecutive days):

If an elementary student has attended at least part of a day or a secondary student has attended at least one period during the school year, but then accumulates 20 consecutive school day absences in all their classes, the student will be in placeholder status. Placeholder status means a student will be removed from their schedule into a placeholder schedule that will continue to accrue absences but not be counted in the monthly FTE and/or headcount for State reporting. 

As required by law, the following efforts will be made and documented to locate the student:

• Sending emails to parents/guardians and student when applicable
• Making phone calls to parents/guardians and student when applicable
• Sending text messages to parents/guardians and student when applicable
• Sending letters to the last known home address
• Reaching out via phone or e-mail to emergency contacts· Conducting home visits

A student may be withdrawn from school after the student has missed 40 consecutive school days, a minimum of 3 different documented methods of outreach have been attempted, and a truancy petition has been filed.

Students who have been withdrawn for excessive consecutive days absences will be fully reenrolled if they return within the same school year without needing to establish residency.  However, if the student has moved the family will need to establish residency to update their address in the system consistent with Procedure 3120P.  Within 3 school days upon return, a reentry meeting will be held to create a plan to make up missed work and to complete a School Refusal Assessment (SRA). If absences were not medically related, an intervention plan will also be created to help avoid missing further days of school and a truancy petition filed.

Students who qualify for Home Hospital services (Policy and Procedure 2165 and 2165P) and engage in the services offered, or enrolled in a treatment program with documentation will continue to remain enrolled in their classes (as appropriately determined between the school team, family, student and medical professionals) and a written plan will be developed to help the student fully engage in their education possible.  Students in a treatment program will not be counted for FTE and/or head count reporting for the state.

5. Truancy Procedures:

Truancy petitions must be filed for age-appropriate students under the following conditions:

Truancy petitions must be filed for students who failed to attend school without a valid excuse between the ages of 8 and 18 or if they are 6 or 7 years old and have enrolled in school.

• After the 7th unexcused absence within a calendar month
• After accumulating 15 unexcused absences within a school year
• Truancy petition may be filed for age-appropriate students after the 20th absence in a school year whether the absences are excused or unexcused

Dropout Handling Procedures:

These integrated processes ensure that the handling of potential dropouts is thorough, legally compliant, and focused on efforts to support the students' educational continuation, whenever possible.

Students aged 16 or older, who have either identified themselves or have been identified by staff as potential dropouts, will receive the following interventions:

A. Initial Meeting with Counselor:

Conducted between the student and counselor to discuss reasons for potential withdrawal and future plans.  Administer the School Refusal Assessment (SRA), if attendance has been an issue.

B. Meeting Between Counselor and Teachers:

Meeting to review current academic status and identify appropriate program modifications or options.  This meeting may be held via two-way electronic communication.

C. Review Meeting with Student, Parent/Guardian, Counselor, and Principal or Principal designee:

Comprehensive review of all pertinent information and available options.

D. Decision and Follow-up Actions:

• Efforts to persuade the student to remain in school
• Consideration for placement in alternative educational settings, if persuasion fails
• Recommendation to Superintendent for excusing a student from compulsory attendance, if necessary applicable

E. Legal Considerations and Additional Processes:

• Withdrawal process requiring parental consent in writing for students under 18
• Timely efforts for outreach and discovery of student location before withdrawal
• Procedures for handling extended absences and locating students
• Truancy procedures for addressing unexcused absences. See Policy 3122 and Procedure 3122P Excused and Unexcused Absences