Attendance

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ATTENDANCE

1. Why must my child or children attend school?

IT IS THE LAW.

2. Who is subject to the compulsory attendance law?

· A child shall attend school each school day for the entire period the program of instruction is provided.

· A child who is at least six years of age, or who is younger than six years of age and has previously been enrolled in first grade, and who has not yet reached the child's 19th birthday shall attend school.

· On enrollment in prekindergarten or kindergarten, a child shall attend school.

3. When is the student in violation of the compulsory attendance law?

If a student is absent from school on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year.

4. What happens if a student is in violation of the compulsory attendance law?

If a student fails to attend school without excuse on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period, a school district shall refer a student to truancy court within 10 school days of the student’s 10th absence.

5. What happens to the parent if a student is in violation of the compulsory attendance law?

· A school district may still file a complaint for criminal prosecution against a parent.

· State law has been amended to include that this offense may be punishable by fine only with fines ranging from: $100 for first offense to $500 for fifth or subsequent offenses.

6. What is an unexcused absence?

· An unexcused absence is an absence that does not fall within state law, district policy or district procedure.

· An unexcused absence occurs when the parent cannot produce any documentation that explains the absence or the parent presents documentation that does not meet district policy or district procedures.

7. How many days do I have to submit a justification for an unexcused absence?

Recorded unexcused absences (U) will remain as unexcused absences (U) if acceptable documentation is not received within 5 school days after the student’s return to school.

8. Attendance for Credit or Final Grade (Kindergarten Through Grade 12)

Can my child be given credit or be promoted if he/she is attendance less than 90% of the school days?

· To receive credit or a final grade in a class, a student in kindergarten-grade 12 must attend at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered.

· A student who attends at least 75 percent but fewer than 90 percent of the days the class is offered may receive credit or a final grade for the class if he or she completes a plan, approved by the principal, that allows the student to fulfill the instructional requirements for the class.

· If a student attends less than 75 percent of the days a class is offered or has not completed the plan approved by the principal, then the student will be referred to the attendance review committee to determine whether there are extenuating circumstances for the absences and how the student can regain credit or a final grade lost because of absences