New Iowa legislation will impact school-age children and healthcare providers starting in the 2024-2025 school year. Learn what you need to know and how it may affect your child’s school attendance and healthcare needs.
What's new?
- Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% of school (5 days in a quarter).
- Truancy is defined as missing 20% of school (9 days in a quarter).
- When a student is absent for 10%, the district is required to notify the county attorney and send a notice to parents.
- When a student is absent for 15%, a school engagement meeting is required between the student, parent, and a school official to create a prevention plan. The school will monitor compliance and contact the parent at least once a week.
- If the plan is violated, the county attorney may get involved.
What does this mean for patients and families?
Excused Absences
School Districts will allow two health-related excused absences in a quarter (i.e., fever). After two, a doctor's note is required for the absence. When a school nurse sends a student home for health-related reasons, the absence is medically excused.
If you need a doctor's note sent to your school, please follow these steps:
- Request a note during your clinic visit.
- You can send a message through the FollowMyHealth portal. Please allow 24 hours for a response from our providers or nurses.
It is important to note that The Iowa Clinic will not email the school the note directly.
Same-Day Appointments
We are committed to supporting patients and families through their healthcare journeys. We will continue to have same-day appointments available for providers that have availability, and our Urgent Care is always willing to see you.