When can my child be sent to truancy court?

Districts have the option to file a truancy petition if a student gets to 7 unexcused absences in a month.

The law also says that a district must file a truancy petition if a student gets to a total of 15 unexcused absences in a in a school year, and the steps it is taking to try to reduce absences are not working and it needs the court's help.

If a school district does not file a truancy petition, a parent can file one if a student gets to 7 or more unexcused absences in a month, or 15 in the school year. You can find the section of the attendance law that describes the obligation to file a truancy petition at RCW 28A.225.030, online here: http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=28A.225.030.