Absences/Truancy School and Class Attendance - Grades K-12 5-17.1 (posted on 8/23/2021)

Students are expected to be in school, in class, and ready for instruction. Daily and punctual school attendance is essential to each student's academic development. Absence from school is detrimental to student achievement. A student is counted present for state reporting purposes if present for any portion of the day.

As required under the provisions of law, each parent/guardian is responsible for regular and punctual attendance of any child in his or her charge within the compulsory age for school attendance. Emancipated students are responsible for their own regular and punctual attendance. Parents and emancipated students are expected to work cooperatively with school personnel to correct attendance problems, including meetings with teachers, counselors, or administrators.

* At the high school level, absences are computed for each class. At the middle school level, absences are computed for each credit course. A student who misses more than fifteen (15) minutes of any class will be counted absent for that class.

* The parent or legal guardian will provide written notice to the school of the reason for the absence or tardiness.

* Personal illness, illness or death in the family, exposure to contagious disease, religious holidays, extremely inclement weather, or school-sponsored/related activities will be considered legitimate excuses for a student's absence.

* Requests for pre-approved excused absences should be made in writing by the parent or legal guardian and should state the reasons for absence and the time of absence. Such requests must be approved in advance by the principal.

* Students having more than twelve (12) absences from a class (excused or unexcused) within a given semester will be considered as having excessive absences. With alternate day schedules (i.e. block scheduling), students having more than six (6) class absences from a class (excused or unexcused) within a given semester will be considered as having excessive absences.

*  Students having excessive absences within a given semester will receive a failing grade (63/N) for that semester or the actual class grade, whichever is lower.

Please review the full version of Absences/Truancy School and Class Attendance - Grades K-12 5-17.1 at