I am writing to advocate for a necessary policy change regarding the definitions of chronic and severe chronic attendance in California, specifically concerning the treatment of excused school absences.

Currently, the criteria for chronic and severe chronic attendance includes both excused and unexcused absences, which may not accurately reflect the circumstances of students who miss school due to legitimate reasons such as illness, family emergencies, or other valid causes. This approach can inadvertently penalize students who adhere to school policies regarding excused absences but may face challenges that lead to frequent school absences.

To address this issue, I propose that the definitions of chronic and severe chronic attendance be revised to explicitly exclude excused absences. By making this adjustment, we can better align our policies with the reality that excused absences are typically beyond the control of students and their families, and should not contribute to labeling students as chronically absent or subjecting them to punitive measures.

It is crucial that our policies reflect a balanced approach that supports students' academics and their families receive fair treatment and appropriate support without unnecessary repercussions for circumstances beyond their control.

I urge you to consider this proposal for the benefit of all students in California and look forward to discussing how we can work together to implement this policy change effectively.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.