501.09R1 Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy Regulation

Daily, punctual attendance is an integral part of the learning experience.  The education that goes on in the classroom builds from day to day and absences can cause disruption in the educational progress of the absent student.  Irregular attendance or tardiness by students not only limits 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 the school. 

This regulation is divided into two sections:  Section I addresses legal requirements related to chronic absenteeism and truancy and Section II addresses additional academic, disciplinary and extracurricular consequences students face due to chronic absenteeism and truancy.  It is important for students to recognize that chronic absenteeism and truancy impacts all these facets of their educational experience.

SECTION I – Legal Requirements 

Chronic Absenteeism

When a student meets the threshold to be considered chronically absent, the school official will send notice by mail or e-mail to the county attorney where the district’s central office is located.  The school official will also notify the student, or if a minor the student’s parent, guardian or legal or actual custodian via certified mail that includes information related to the student’s absences from school and the policies and disciplinary processes associated with additional absences.  

School officials will send notice when the student’s absences meet the threshold, but before the student is deemed chronically absent. 

School Engagement Meeting

If a student is absent from school for at least fifteen percent of the hours in the grading period, the school official will attempt to find the cause of the absences and start and participate in a school engagement meeting.  All of the following individuals must participate in the school engagement meeting:

• The student;

• The student’s parent, guardian or legal or actual custodian if the student is an unemancipated minor; and

• A school official.

The purpose of the meeting is to understand the reasons for the student’s absences and attempt to remove barriers to the student’s ongoing absences; and to create and sign an absenteeism prevention plan.  

Absenteeism Prevention Plan

The absenteeism prevention plan will identify the causes of the student’s absences and the future responsibilities of each participant.  The school official will contact the student and student’s parent/guardian at least once per week for the remainder of the school year to monitor the performance of the student and student’s parent/guardian under the plan.  If the student and student’s parent/guardian do not attend the meeting, do not enter into a plan or violate the terms of the plan, the school official will notify the county attorney.

SECTION II – Academic and Disciplinary Requirements

Students who have 13.5 unexcused absences in a semester, will be assigned to one of the following; supervised study hall, detention, early bird school, Saturday school, or other appropriate actions. Excused absences include religious holidays or services, illness with a doctor’s note, being sent home by the school nurse (doctor’s note needed after 3 days), planned surgery or medical appointments with a doctor’s note, recurring appointments like therapy, and court-directed activities or jury duty. Parents are expected to telephone the school office to report a student's absence prior to 9:00 a.m. on the day of the absence. 

Students will have one day for each day absent, plus one additional day to make up work assigned. If a student misses the day work is due to be turned in to a teacher, it is due the day the student returns to school at no penalty.

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.

Approved    7-17-24          Reviewed                                 Revised      ______