Attendance for Credit

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 is involved in a criminal or juvenile court proceeding, the approval of the judge presiding over the case will also be required before the student receives credit or a final grade 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. [See policy FEC.] 

All absences, whether excused or unexcused, must be considered in determining whether a student has attended the required percentage of days. In determining whether there were extenuating circumstances for the absences, the attendance committee will use the following guidelines: 

• If makeup work is completed, absences for the reasons listed above at Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance will be considered extenuating circumstances for purposes of attendance for credit or the award of a final grade. 

• A transfer or migrant student begins to accumulate absences only after enrolling in the district. 

• In reaching a decision about a student’s absences, the committee will attempt to ensure that it is in the student's best interest. 

• The committee will consider the acceptability and authenticity of documented reasons for the student’s absences. 

• 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 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 or parent will be allowed to present any information to the committee about the absences and talk about ways to earn or regain credit or a final grade. The student or parent may appeal the committee’s decision to the board by following policy FNG(LOCAL). 

The actual number of days a student must be in attendance in order to receive credit or a final grade will depend on whether the class is for a full semester or a full year (See charts below).