ATTENDANCE

Regular school attendance is essential for a student to make the most of their education—to benefit from teacher-led and school activities, to build each day's learning on the previous day's, and to grow as an individual. Absences from class may seriously disrupt a student's mastery of the instructional materials; therefore, the student and parent should make every effort to avoid unnecessary absences. Two state laws, one dealing with compulsory attendance, and the other with attendance for course credit, are of special interest to students and parents. They are discussed below:

COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE

State law requires that a student between the ages of six and 18 attend school and any applicable accelerated instruction program, extended year program, or tutorial session unless the student is otherwise excused from attendance or legally exempt.

State law requires attendance in an accelerated reading instruction program when kindergarten, first-grade, or second-grade students are assigned to such a program. We will notify parents in writing if their child is assigned to an accelerated reading instruction program as a result of the reading diagnosis test.

School employees must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory attendance law. A student absent without permission from school; from any class; from required special programs, such as additional special instruction (termed "accelerated instruction" by the state) assigned by a grade placement committee and basic skills for ninth graders; or from required tutorials will be considered in violation of the compulsory attendance law and subject to disciplinary action.

A court of law may also impose penalties against the student and their parents if a school-aged student is deliberately not attending school. A complaint against the parent may be filed in court if the student:

• Is absent from school on ten or more days or parts of days within six months in the same school year, or
• Is absent on three or more days or parts of days within four weeks.

ATTENDANCE FOR CREDIT

To receive credit in a class, a student 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 for the class if they complete a plan approved by the principal, which 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 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, if appropriate.

In determining whether there were extenuating circumstances for the absences, the attendance committee will use the following guidelines:

• All absences will be considered in determining whether a student has attended the required percentage of days. Absences for religious holy days and documented health-care appointments will be considered days of attendance for this purpose if makeup work is completed.
• A transfer or migrant student accumulates absences only after they have enrolled in the district. For a student transferring into the district after school begins, including a migrant student, only those absences after enrollment will be considered.
• In deciding 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 given an opportunity to present any information to the committee about the absences and discuss ways to earn or regain credit.

The student or parent may appeal the committee's decision to the board of trustees by filing a written request with the superintendent in accordance with policy FNG (LOCAL).

The actual number of days a student must be in attendance to receive credit will depend on whether the class is for an entire semester or a full year.

PARENT'S NOTE AFTER ABSENCE

When a student must be absent from school, the student—upon returning to school— must bring a note signed by the parent that describes the reason for the absence. A letter signed by the student, even with the parent's permission, will not be accepted unless the student is 18 or older.

DOCTOR'S NOTE AFTER ABSENCE

Upon return to school, a student absent for more than three consecutive days because of a personal illness must bring a statement from a doctor or health clinic verifying the illness or condition that caused the student's extended absence from school. [See FEC (LOCAL).]