Update on Certified Mail use by School Districts – December 2024

Key Takeaways:

• Certified Mail is mandated by law in several states to formally notify parents about student truancy and absenteeism.
• Iowa law (Senate File 2435) requires schools to notify parents and the county attorney via Certified Mail when a student reaches chronic absenteeism, with escalating interventions if absences continue.
• Indiana statutes mandate Certified Mail for truancy notifications and for informing parents about consequences of missing exit interviews, including the possible loss of driving privileges.
• Washington’s “Becca Bill” requires schools to send truancy court petition notices by Certified Mail with Return Receipt, ensuring formal parental awareness of legal actions.

For decades Certified Mail has played an important role in thousands of state laws across the country, whether in new statutes, or modifications of existing statutes. A good example is how Certified Mail is used by certain school districts as a means for contacting parents when their children miss a significant number of school days without valid reasons. Here are three examples:

In Iowa, Senate File 2435, effective July 1, 2024, specifies that when a child reaches chronic absenteeism (defined as absences of 10% or more in a given period), the school must notify the county attorney and the student’s parent or guardian via Certified Mail. The notification to the parent or guardian must include details about the absences and related disciplinary policies. If absenteeism continues, the law outlines further steps, including intervention meetings and potential referral to the county attorney for enforcement of attendance laws. This structured communication aims to involve parents early on and to foster compliance with attendance regulations to support the student’s educational engagement and success.​

In Indiana, specific statutes mandate the use of Certified Mail (or personal delivery) in matters related to student truancy. Under Indiana Code § 20-33-2-27, (July 1, 2011) if a parent fails to ensure their child’s attendance as required by law, the superintendent or their designee must serve notice of the violation to the parent. The notice can be delivered personally or by Certified Mail.  And according to Indiana Code § 9-24-2-1, (April 1, 2020) before conducting an exit interview for a student considering withdrawal, the school corporation must provide at least five days’ notice to the student and their parent or guardian. This notice can also be delivered personally or via Certified Mail. The purpose is to inform them that failure to attend the exit interview or return to school may result in the revocation or denial of the student’s driver’s license or learner’s permit. I both cases, the statutes ensure that parents and guardians receive formal, documented notifications regarding critical attendance-related matters, emphasizing the importance of compliance with Indiana’s compulsory education laws.

In Washington State, in 1995 the State Legislature enacted the Second Substitute Senate Bill 5439, commonly known as the “Becca Bill,” to address issues related to at-risk youth, including truancy. This legislation introduced specific procedures for schools to follow when students accumulate seven unexcused absences during a month or at the tenth unexcused absence within a school year absences the school district will file a petition in juvenile court to order the student to attend school. The school must send the parents of the student a notice of truancy court petition by Certified Mail with Return Receipt or by in-person delivery. This provision ensures that parents are formally informed about their child’s truancy status and any subsequent legal actions.

These are good examples of the important role that Certified Mail continues to play as part of our communications.

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