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ATTENDANCE

Regular school attendance is essential for the student to make the most of his or her education to benefit from teacher-led activities, to build each day’s learning on that of the previous day, and to grow as an individual.  Absences from class may result in serious disruptions of a student’s mastery of the instructional material; therefore, the student and parent should make every effort to avoid unnecessary absences.  Two state laws. One dealing with compulsory attendance, the other with attendance for course credit, are of special interest to students and parents.    Nonattendance  may also result in assessment of penalties by a court of law against both the student and his or her parents.  A Complaint against the parent may be filed in the appropriate court if the student:

 ·        Is absent from school on ten or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year, or

·        Is absent on three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period.

 Compulsory Attendance

 The state compulsory attendance law requires that a student between the ages of 6 and 18 must attend school and District required tutorial sessions unless the student is other wise legally exempted or excused.  A student who voluntarily attends or enrolls after his or her eighteenth birthday is required to attend each school day.  However, if a student 18 or older has more than five unexcused absences in a semester, the District may revoke the student’s enrollment.  The student’s presence on school property is then unauthorized and may be considered trespass. 

 School employees must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory attendance law.  A student absent from school without permission from any class, from required special programs, such as accelerated instruction assigned by the grade placement committee and basic skills for ninth graders, or from required tutorials will be considered in violation of the law and subject to disciplinary action.  If kindergarten students are assigned to an accelerated reading instruction program under state law, compulsory attendance applies to attendance in the reading program.  Parents will be notified in writing if their child is assigned to and accelerated reading instruction program as a result of the reading diagnostic test.

 Nonattendance may also result in assessment of penalties by a court of law against both the student and his or her parents.  A complaint against the parent may be filed in the appropriate court if the student:

  • Is absent from school on ten or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year, or

 

  • Is absent on three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period.

 ATTENDANCE FOR CREDIT

  To receive credit in a class, a student must attend at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered.  A student who attends fewer than 90 percent of the days the class is offered may be referred to the attendance review committee to determine whether there are extenuating circumstances for the absences and how the student can regain credit.

 In determining whether there were extenuating circumstances for the absences, the attendance committee will use the following guidelines:

 ·        All absences, except those for religious holy days and documented health care appointments for which routine make-up work has been completed, will be reviewed.

 ·        For a student transferring into the District after school begins, including a migrant student, only those absences after enrollment will be considered.

 ·        In reaching consensus about a student’s absences, the committee will attempt to ensure that its decision is in the best interest of the student.

 ·        The committee will consider whether the absences were for reasons over which the student or the student’s parent could exercise any control.

 ·        The committee will consider the acceptability and authenticity of documentation expressing reasons for the student’s absences.

 ·        The committee will consider the extent to which the student has completed all assignments, mastered the essential knowledge and skills, and maintained passing grades in the course or subject.

 ·        The student, parent, or other representative will be given an opportunity to present any information to the committee about the absences and to talk about ways to earn or regain credit.

 If credit is lost because of excessive absences, the attendance committee will decide how the student may regain credit.  The student or parent may appeal the committee’s decision to the District Board of Trustee by filing a written request with the Superintendent.

 The actual number of days a student must attend in order to receive credit will depend on whether the class is for a full semester or for a full year.

When a student must be absent from school, the student – upon returning to school – must bring a note, signed by the parent, that describes the reason for the absence.  A note signed by the student, even with the parent’s permission, will not be accepted unless the student is 18 or older.