Learning Support Services Manual

Students
Number 1735	Release Date July 26, 2004	Effective Date	Applicability Principals and School Based Employees
Procedure: Attendance Policy				SSOP? Yes

This policy replaces Board policy #5113 and CAB 0501.

Compulsory Attendance Parents, guardians, and other persons having control or charge of any child or children between the ages of six (6) and seventeen (17) years, both inclusive, shall be responsible for their attendance in a public or non-public school. In the event of failure to do so, the parents, guardian, or other persons will be subject to the penalties provided in the Compulsory School Attendance Law.

Children Exempt from Attendance

Children mentally or physically incapacitated to perform school duties (such disability to be attested by a licensed physician in all cases).

Children who have completed high school and hold a high school diploma.

Children temporarily excused from attendance in school under rules and regulations of the State Board of Education.

Children who have attained their seventeenth birthday and whose continued compulsory attendance, in the opinion of the Board of Education in charge of the school to which such children belong and are enrolled, results in detriment to good order and discipline and to the instruction of the students and is not of substantial benefit to such children, provided that in all such cases, the Board of Education shall first obtain the recommendation in writing from the Director of Schools and the principal of the school to which such children attend.

Administration of Attendance Law

The responsibility and authority for enforcement of the Compulsory School Attendance Law shall be placed with the Board of Education and its designated employees. Nothing shall preclude a student from attending high school beyond the age of seventeen if the student has not graduated but maintains good behavior, attendance and continues to make academic progress.

Verification of Absences

All absences must be verified in writing within three (3) days from the parent or guardian. All absences for which no written verification is received will be considered unexcused.

Types of Absences and Consequences

1. EXCUSED ABSENCES

A. Personal illness

B. Illness in the family requiring the student’s temporary help

C. Death in the family (not more than 3 days)

D. Head lice, up to three days per infestation

E. Recognized religious holidays regularly observed by persons

of the child’s faith

F. Court appearances or legal mandates

G. Documented college visitations juniors or seniors (3 days per year)

2. JUSTIFIABLE PERSONAL ABSENCES

A. Upon written request of the parent/guardian, a student’s absence may

be excused for the following reasons:

a. Unforeseeable emergencies such as car problems.

b. Employment interview or conference.

c. Doctor or dental appointments.

d. Other reasons requested in writing by the parent/guardian

and considered legitimate by the principal or designee.

3. SCHOOL EVENTS/FIELD TRIPS

Students will not be counted as absent if they are:

A. On school approved field trips or activities

B. Serving on Board or staff appointed committees

4. SUSPENSION FROM SCHOOL

5. MAKING UP WORK FOR ALL TYPES OF ABSENCES

At the K-12 level, students with an EXCUSED, JUSTIFIABLE PERSONAL absence or who are on a SCHOOL EVENT OR FIELD TRIP OR SUSPENDED shall be provided the opportunity to receive assignments missed during the absence and to make up the work upon their return for the full grade.

At the K-12 level, students with UNEXCUSED absences shall not be given the opportunity to make up the work.

A. Make up work must be requested by the student or parent no later than three days after returning to school. The work should be turned in at a mutually agreed time frame between the teacher and the student.

5. PRINCIPAL AUTHORITY

With written documentation in the student’s record and in accordance with this policy, principals may:

A. Excuse an absence, including, but not limited to JUSTIFIABLE PERSONAL ABSENCES, SCHOOL EVENTS/FIELD TRIPS, AND, EXCUSED ABSENCES.

B. Refuse to excuse an absence.

C. Require an explanation (written or oral) from the parent or guardian explaining the reason for each absence.

D. Require other documentation they deem appropriate.

E. Require a physician’s statement of consent to participate in the regular

school program, extracurricular activities, or to validate an extended

illness or excessive absences due to illness.

6. ATTENDANCE RECORDS

When a student misses school, even if work is made up, the attendance record for the student and the school cannot be changed.

7. TARDIES AND EARLY DISMISSALS

Each school principal in consultation with the local building staff must develop and communicate tardy/early dismissal guidelines including consequences.

8. TRUANCY

In cases of chronic absence or truancy, and after consultation with the appropriate staff, in accordance with policy and procedures, principals must take strong action up to and including seeking juvenile court intervention.

9. EXCLUSION

Children shall be excluded from Metropolitan Schools by the Board of Education when the progress or efficiency of the schools makes such action necessary. Children shall be excluded from school temporarily if they have, or have been exposed to certain communicable diseases. As the agency responsible for control of communicable disease in the schools, periods of exclusion for the various communicable diseases shall be those prescribed by the Metropolitan Health Department.

Requests for permanent exclusion of a pupil shall be submitted to the District Coordinator of the Student Discipline Referrals.

Fifth Year Of High School

At the discretion of the high school principal, a non-graduated student who has completed four years of high school, may return for a fifth year if the student:

A. Has been continuously enrolled.

B. Is able to complete all requirements for graduation (6 credits on a traditional schedule or 8 credits on a 4 x 4 block) within one year.

C. Attends summer school, if necessary, and achieves satisfactory grades.

D. Exhibits satisfactory behavior and attendance during the fourth year.

Any student granted permission to enroll for a fifth year, must maintain satisfactory behavior, attendance and grades. If at any time these conditions are not met, the principal may remove the student from the high school and refer him/her to the adult school. In extenuating circumstances, a principal may grant a student an additional year to graduate.

A fifth-year student, who feels that he/she has been incorrectly denied attendance for a fifth year, may appeal the decision to the Executive Tier Director, Learning Support Services. The Executive Tier Director’s decision is final.

Board Approved: 4/27/99

Revised: 4/23/03

Converted to MNPS CAPM July 16, 2003