OPTION I:
Daily, punctual attendance is an integral part of the learning experience and is required of all students to receive the maximum benefit of the educational program. The habit of good attendance established early is one which helps a person be successful throughout his or her lifetime. More and more, employers, colleges and vocational schools expect good attendance and are checking attendance records for absences and tardies. They are aware that good and prompt attendance indicates dependability in a student.
The education that goes on in the classroom builds from day to day and as a result, absences always cause some disruption in the educational progress of the absent student. Students who are absent may not understand what the teacher is currently presenting, and may also become discouraged with the double burden of keeping current and making up missed work. In order to maintain interest and understanding in the instructional program, students should not expect to be absent any more than is absolutely necessary. Irregular attendance or tardiness by students not only retards their own studies, but also interferes with the progress of those students who are regular and prompt in attendance. Attendance is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation and communication among students, parents and school.
Students who are absent without a reasonable excuse, as determined by the principal, will be assigned to [supervised study hall, detention, early bird school, Saturday school, in-school suspension, or other appropriate disciplinary sanction]. Reasonable excuses include illness, family emergencies, recognized religious observances and school sponsored or approved activities. Reasonable excuses may also include family trips or vacations if the student's work is finished prior to the trip or vacation. [Supervised study hall, detention, early bird school, Saturday school, in-school suspension, or other appropriate disciplinary sanction] will be assigned on a two-for-one basis.
A student who is unexcused for one or more classes for less than a whole school day, will be assigned to [supervised study hall, detention, early bird school, Saturday school, in-school suspension or other appropriate disciplinary sanction] for the next days during the class period(s) missed. If a student is unexcused for a whole day of classes, he or she will spend the next two days in [supervised study hall, detention, early bird school, Saturday school, in-school suspension or other appropriate disciplinary sanction]. Parents are expected to telephone the school office to report a student's absence prior to a.m. on the day of the absence. Students with unexcused absences may also be referred to the at-risk coordinator.
Note: If "supervised study hall" or "in-school suspension" is used in the above paragraphs, the following paragraph is recommended for inclusion.
In the event the student has not completed all of the student's assignments while in (supervised study hall, in-school suspension), the student will remain out of class and in (supervised study hall, in-school suspension) until caught up in every class.
School work missed because of absences must be made up within two times the number of days absent, not to exceed days. The time allowed for make-up work may be extended at the discretion of the classroom teacher.
Students will be allowed to make up all work missed due to any absence and will receive full credit for make-up work handed in on time. Teachers will not have attendance or grading practices that are in conflict with this provision.
OPTION II:
Daily, punctual attendance is an integral part of the learning experience and is required of all students to receive the maximum benefit of the educational program. The habit of good attendance established early is one which helps a person be successful throughout their lifetime. More and more, employers, colleges and vocational schools expect good attendance and are checking attendance records for absences and tardies. They are aware that good and prompt attendance indicates dependability in a student.
The education that goes on in the classroom builds from day to day and as a result, absences always cause some disruption in the educational progress of the absent student. Students who are absent may not understand what the teacher is currently presenting, and may also become discouraged with the double burden of keeping current and making up missed work. In order to maintain interest and understanding in program of instruction, students should not expect to be absent any more than is absolutely necessary. Irregular attendance or tardiness by students not only retards their own studies, but also interferes with the progress of those students who are regular and prompt in attendance. Attendance is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation and communication among students, parents and school.
Students are required to be in attendance, pursuant to board policy, for days per school year unless their absences have been excused by the principal for illness (absences for five or more consecutive days due to illness require a doctor's note), family emergencies, doctor or dental appointment, recognized religious observances and school sponsored or approved activities. Reasonable excuses may also include family trips or vacations if the student's work is finished prior to the trip or vacation. Absences that do not fall within the categories listed above will be considered unexcused unless approved by the principal. Parents are expected to telephone the school office to report a student's absence prior to a.m. on the day of the absence.
If a student accumulates unexcused absences in a class, he or she may lose credit for the class. Prior to imposing the loss of credit in one or more classes, the principal will provide the student an opportunity for an informal hearing.
School work missed because of absences must be made up within two times the number of days absent, not to exceed days. The time allowed for make-up work may be extended at the discretion of the classroom teacher.
Students will remain in class until the [hearing panel, principal, superintendent] makes a decision regarding loss or restoration of credit. Full credit is awarded to all assignments and tests submitted that meet the teacher's specifications until a decision regarding credit has been made.
If a student loses credit, that fact is recorded in the student's record as an ("AD" [administrative drop], "AW" [administrative withdrawal], or [substitute a term not to include an F for failure or anything that looks like that]).
A student who loses credit due to excessive absences is assigned to [supervised study hall, in-school suspension] for the period(s) in which the course(s) meet or the student may be reassigned to another class or location. A student who, after a hearing before the board, loses credit in all courses due to unexcused absences, will not be allowed to participate in any school activities until the following semester. However, the student is eligible to practice if all other eligibility criteria have been met.
The administration and guidance staff will make reasonable efforts to advise and counsel and may impose discipline upon any student approaching unexcused absences. Such advice, discipline and counseling includes, but is not limited to, oral or written notices to the student and his or her parents, conferences with the student and parents, written contracts, or loss of non-academic privileges such as extracurricular activities, open campus, late arrival, early dismissal, or [others as added by individual school districts].
OPTION III:
I. General Attendance Policy
A. Policy Statement - Daily, punctual attendance is an integral part of the learning experience and is required of all students to receive the maximum benefit of the educational program. The habit of good attendance established early is one which helps a person be successful throughout their lifetime. More and more, employers, colleges and vocational schools expect good attendance and are checking attendance records for absences and tardies. They are aware that good and prompt attendance indicates dependability in a student.
The education that goes on in the classroom builds from day to day and as a result, absences always cause some disruption in the educational progress of the absent student. Students who are absent may not understand what the teacher is currently presenting, and may also become discouraged with the double burden of keeping current and making up missed work. In order to maintain interest and understanding in program of instruction, students should not expect to be absent any more than is absolutely necessary. Irregular attendance or tardiness by students not only retards their own studies, but also interferes with the progress of those students who are regular and prompt in attendance. Attendance is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation and communication among students, parents and school.
B. Absences
1. Parents are expected to notify the school prior to a.m. regarding a student's absence on the day of the absence. All absences must be reported within one day of the absence to be considered excused.
Students absent from school for any reason may be required by the school to submit a written explanation or specific reason for their absence, the specific days of times they were absent, verification by the doctor or dentist where appropriate, and a signature of the parent.
2. Acceptable reasons for a student's absence from school are limited to the following:
a. religious observances;
b. extended illness, hospitalization or doctor's care;
c. death in the family or family emergency; and
d. court appearance or other legal situation beyond the control of the family.
3. Classes missed because of attendance at a school-sponsored trip or activity will not be considered an absence. However, the student will be required to make up work missed.
4. Suspensions from class [either in-school suspensions or out-of-school suspension] will be treated as school-initiated student absences and will not count toward the days absent. However, the student will be required to make up work missed.
5. School work missed because of absences must be made up within two times the number of days absent, not to exceed days. The time allowed for make-up work may be extended at the discretion of the classroom teacher.
C. Tardiness
1. A student is tardy when the student initially appears in the assigned area any time after the designated starting time.
2. All incidents of class tardiness will be the responsibility of the teacher. Teachers will emphasize the importance of being on time and explain the classroom rules and procedures for tardies. The tardy sanctions should be consistently applied and sequential. Sanctions may include, but are not limited to, warning, assigned detention, parent contact and referral to the (title).
D. Truancy
1. A student is truant when the student is absent from school or an assigned class or classes without school permission.
2. Work missed because of truancy must be made up the same as work for all other absences.
3. Incidents of truancy will be recorded as part of a student's attendance record and will count toward the absences per semester. The (title) will also determine what, if any, disciplinary action is appropriate including, but not limited to, warning, detention, in-school suspension or administrative referral.
II. Excessive Absenteeism
Excessive absenteeism is any absence beyond days or individual class meetings per semester.
A. When a student has been absent from school or a class times during a given semester, the student's parent will be contacted via telephone or mail regarding the student's attendance. The classroom teacher or building administrator will initiate the -day notification process.
B. When a student has been absent from school/class or more times during a semester, the teacher or the (title) will inform the (title) of the student's status. The (title) will notify the student and parent of the excessive absences and initiate appropriate sanctions.
III. Application of Sanctions
A. Excessive absences will result in the following:
1. If a student is absent days from any given class, the student will be dropped from that class. The student will receive no credit for the class.
2. If a student is absent days in or more individual classes, the student will be dropped from the regular school program and referred to (title) pursuant to the district's plan for at-risk students.
IV. Appeals
A. First level of appeal
1. When notified that the student has missed (days or class periods), the parent should contact the teacher and principal to discuss the student's attendance and prevent any further absences.
2. When notified that the student has exceeded absences and that the student will be dropped from a class or school, the student and parent may file a written appeal with the (title) within school days of the notification. Sanctions imposed under this policy will be final unless a written appeal is submitted to the (title).
3. Written appeals will be referred to the (title).
4. The student will remain in the class or in school pending completion of the appeals process.
5. The informal appeals hearing will be scheduled within school days after the appeal is filed. The (title) will consider the following in reaching a decision:
a. absences caused by religious holidays, documented chronic or extended illness, hospitalization, family death or emergency, emergency medical or dental care, court appearances or other legal situations beyond the control of the family, school-related class or program activities;
b. attendance history of the student;
c. extenuating circumstances particular to the student;
d. educational alternatives to removal from class or school; or
e. the total educational program for the individual student.
6. The decision of the (title) will be reached within one day of the hearing. The parent will be notified of the decision in writing.
B. Second Level of Appeal
Students and parents seeking a review of the (title) decision regarding sanctions rendered under this attendance policy may do so by filing a written request for review with the (title) within five days after the (title) decision. The (title) will determine an agreeable time, place and date for the review and notify the student and parent. At the conclusion of the review, the (title) will affirm, reverse or modify the (title) decision.
C. Appeal to Board of Directors
Students and parents may appeal the superintendent's decision by filing a written request for review by the board within five days with the board secretary. It is within the discretion of the board to determine whether to hear the appeal. If the appeal is accepted, the board secretary will determine an agreeable time, place and date for the review and notify the interested persons. At the conclusion of the review, the board may affirm, reverse or modify the superintendent's decision.
Approved July 1999 Reviewed August 2014 Revised