Board backs code cleanup on truancy, parental consent for interventions

The Utah State Board of Education voted to ask staff to work with the Legislature to amend multiple statutes related to student attendance, parental consent for interventions and the labeling of students for truancy.

Member Boggess moved a multi-part request to amend Section 53G-6-206(2)(a) to remove language requiring LEAs to “resolve school absenteeism and school truancy issues,” to add a requirement in sections 3(a) and 3(g) that certain interventions occur “only with express written informed parental consent,” and to remove language in Section 53G-8-211 that assigns a label to a student because a parent did not cooperate. The motion also requested unifying attendance, compulsory education and truancy provisions into a single code section.

Why it matters: Supporters said the changes would avoid holding teachers and schools accountable for problems beyond their control and would prevent children from being labeled for parental choices. Opponents warned the state lacks a unified approach to chronic absenteeism and questioned whether removing statutory responsibilities would weaken efforts to improve attendance.

Discussion and vote: Member Boggess argued that “we should not hold our teachers and principals accountable for something for which they are not responsible” and that some interventions are being enacted without explicit parental consent. Opponents said the state needs clearer, consistent policy to address falling attendance rates. After debate the motion passed 9–4. The four no votes were recorded as Vice Chair Wood, Member Bollinger, Member Riehl and Member Leer.

Next steps: Staff will work with legislative partners to draft cleanup language that unifies attendance- and truancy-related code sections and clarifies parental-consent requirements for interventions.