Attendance Policy Information
Attendance Policy for Cumberland County (BOE 6.200)
Attendance is a key factor in student achievement and therefore, students are expected to be present each day school is in session. The attendance supervisor shall oversee the entire attendance program which shall include:
1. All accounting and reporting procedures and their dissemination;
2. Alternative program options for students who severely fail to meet minimum attendance requirements.
3. Ensuring that all school age children attend school;
4. Providing documentation of enrollment status upon request for students applying for new or reinstatement of driver's permit or license; and
5. Notifying the Department of Safety whenever a student with a driver's permit or license drops out of school.
Student attendance records shall be given the same level of confidentiality as other student records. Only authorized school officials with legitimate educational purposes may have access to student information without the consent of the student’s parent/guardian. Absences shall be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the principal or his/her designee.
Excused absences shall include:
1. Personal illness/injury;
2. Illness of immediate family member;
3. Death in the family; funeral notice
4. Extreme weather conditions;
5. Religious observances;5
6. Pregnancy;
7. School-endorsed activities
8. Summons, subpoena, or court order; or
9. Circumstances which in the judgement of the principal create emergencies over which the student has no control.
10. Other absences as pre-approved by the principal, based on appropriate documentation at least 10(ten) school days prior to day(s) to be missed. This does not include personal family vacations.
11. If a student is exempt from final exams per Board policy, the absence on the day of the exam is excused.
12. Driver’s license/permit appointments will be excused with proof of appointment.
Tardies including early dismissal for any reason other than the previously mentioned excuses will be considered unexcused.
The Principal shall be responsible for ensuring that:
1. Attendance is checked and reported daily for each class;
2. Daily absentee sheets contain sign in/sign out sheets and indicate students present or absent for the majority of the day;
3. All student absences are verified.
Truancy
Students shall be present at least fifty percent (50%) of the scheduled school day in order to be counted present. Students receiving special education services may attend part-time days alternating days, or for a specific amount of time as indicated in their Individualized Education Plan.
Students who are absent five (5) days without adequate excuse shall be reported to the director of schools/designee who will, in turn, provide written notice to the parents/guardians of the student’s absence. The director of schools/designee shall also comply with state law regarding the reporting of truant students to the proper authorities. If a student accumulates a total of five (5) unexcused absences, then he/she is subject to referral to juvenile court.
If a student is required to participate in a remedial instruction program outside the regular school day where there is no cost to the parent(s) and the school system provides transportation, unexcused absences from these programs shall be reported in the same manner.
The director of schools/designee shall develop appropriate administrative procedures to implement this policy.
Progressive Truancy Intervention Plan
Students with three (3) unexcused absences shall be subject to the progressive truancy intervention framework outlined below:
Tier I After three (3) unexcused absences a student and parent will be required to meet with a school attendance representative to discuss reasons for student absences. The attendance representative will set up an attendance contract with the student and parent/guardians to be signed by all including the attendance representative. The contract must include: Attendance policy, effective dates (90 days), and penalties for additional absences. The attendance representative will hold regularly scheduled follow-up meetings with the student to discuss his/her progress. If the student accumulates additional unexcused absences in violation of the attendance contract, he/she shall be subject to the additional intervention tiers.
Tier II of the progressive truancy plan shall be implemented after the student accumulates four (4) unexcused absences, but before referral to juvenile court, and includes the following;
1. A conference with the student and the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s);
2. An attendance contract, based on the conference, signed by the student, the parent(s)/guardian(s), and the Attendance Supervisor/designee.
The contract shall include:
a. A specific description of the school’s attendance expectations for the student;
b. The period for which the contract is effective; and
c. Penalties for additional absences and alleged school offenses, including additional
disciplinary action and potential referral to juvenile court.
3. Regularly scheduled follow-up meetings to discuss the student’s progress; and
4. A school employee shall conduct an individualized assessment detailing the reasons a student has been absent from school. The employee may refer the student to counseling, community- based services, or other services to address the student’s attendance problems.
Tier III
1. After the 5th unexcused absence, the student will be referred to Truancy Court.
2. Failure to attend Truancy Court and/or additional unexcused absences, the student will be cited to Juvenile Court
3. The Court will be provided a report of all interventions that have been provided to support this student.
The interventions shall address student’s needs in an age-appropriate manner. Finalized plans shall be approved by the Director of Schools/designee.
Upon completion of Tiers I, II, and III, the student will be cited to Juvenile Court.