2900 Attendance.htm

Admission Washington County School District - Adopted 9-8-98; Revised 1-12-99; Revised 2-12-02; Revised 2-13-07; Revised 12-9-08; Revised 10-13-09; Revised 11-8-11

1. Purpose & Philosophy:

2. Policy:

2.1. The "State Compulsory Education Requirements" (Utah Code, Section 53A-11-101) directs parents and schools as follows:

2.1.1. A person having control of a minor who has reached the age of six years, but has not reached the age of eighteen years, shall send the minor to a public or regularly established private school during the school year of the District in which the minor resides.

2.1.2. It is a misdemeanor for a person having control of a minor under subsection (1) to willfully fail to comply with the requirements of chapters 53A-11, part A.

2.1.3. A local board of education shall report cases of willful noncompliance to the appropriate city, county, or district attorney.

2.2. The law allows parents of students enrolled in public schools to excuse their student from school, but only when the student is absent with a "valid excuse." "Valid excuse" is defined by House Bill 207 (2007), Utah Code 53A-11 and Utah Administrative Rule R277-438 and 607 as: (a) an illness; (b) a family death; (c) an approved school activity; (d) an absence permitted by a school-age minor's individualized education program, developed pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, as amended; or an accommodation plan, developed pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 1973, as amended; or (e) any other excuse established as valid by a local school board, local charter board.

Fifth District Juvenile Court has jurisdiction over all juveniles residing in Washington County. It is the expectation of the court that students within its jurisdiction will be in regular attendance at the school in which they are enrolled. The court is obligated to adjudicate truancy matters for those students who are habitually absent without allowable excuse. To accomplish this goal, the court requires that public school officials refer to court those students who are in violation of the compulsory education requirements. Prior to referral, the court expects parents and schools to demonstrate earnest and persistent effort to deter truant behavior. In order for the court to adjudicate truancy, the court requires that schools have attendance policies which enforce consequences for truant behavior and teach students that such behavior is illegal and unacceptable.

2.3. Evidence of reasons for granting an exception to 2.2. must be sufficient to satisfy the local board.

2.4. For purposes of Teachers Disclosures, Attendance Review Board, or Juvenile Court referrals, this policy assumes that any absences beyond five (5) per class period on a traditional school schedule or three (3) per class period on a block schedule in any given quarter are excessive whether excused, truant or unexcused.

2.5. Restitution shall accrue hour per hour under any schedule.

3. Procedure for Secondary Schools:

3.1. Definitions:

3.1.1. Tardy: A tardy is defined as reporting to class after the bell to start class has sounded. A tardy can be excused by a parent when an emergency situation results in a student arriving at school late. A student may not be excused for tardiness between classes.

3.1.1.1. Tardy rationale. Tardiness not only hinders a student's ability to profit from instruction at the beginning of class, but it interrupt the work of the other students who made the effort to be on time. In addition, tardy students may be in the hallways interrupting other classes and the efforts of other students/friends to be to class on time. Research is abundantly clear that punctual students perform better in school and at work.

3.1.1.2. Teachers will include individual classroom policies addressing seat-time in their disclosure statements.

3.1.1.3. Each school is required to establish a uniform tardy policy. Schools may choose to award one (1) attendance point and require restitution for excessive tardy behavior. Individual teachers are encouraged to develop academic incentives for promptness. Other suggestions to schools, and teachers, for consideration, include bell-ringer activities, participation points, etc. Schools are encouraged to share their plans throughout the district.

3.1.1.3.1. It is the teacher's responsibility to properly record tardiness on PowerSchool and to step out into the hall to encourage students to go to class on time.

3.1.1.3.2. It is the student's and parent's responsibility to monitor tardies on PowerSchool, through Progress Reports, and by communicating with the teacher.

3.1.1.3.3. Excessive tardies may result in any or all of the following: 1) teacher/student meeting; 2) a teacher/student/parent meeting; 3) a meeting with an administrator; 4) required restitution.

3.1.2. Absences. An absence is defined as any time a student is not in attendance in the classroom to which he or she has been assigned. Any type of absenteeism (other than an exempt absence) beyond five (5) per class period on a traditional school schedule or three (3) per class period on a block schedule in any given quarter will be considered excessive, and will result in required restitution. In addition, any or all of the following actions may be taken: 1) a meeting with an administrator; 2) a referral to the Attendance Review Committee; 3) a referral to Juvenile Court.

3.1.3. Incentive. Teachers are expected to acknowledge and reward appropriate behavior in the area of attendance.

3.1.4. There are four (4) categories of absences:

3.1.4.1. Excused absence. An absence excused by a parent or legal guardian within the timeframe allowed by policy. In order for an absence to be considered an excused absence, the school must be notified by the parent. One (1) restitution point for students in schools on a traditional schedule and two (2) restitution points for students in a school on a block schedule will be recorded for every excused absence. Work missed due to an excused absence may be made up within a reasonable time frame. Please note: the law defines the reason for parents to excuse students as a "valid excuse." (see 2.2 above)

3.1.4.1.1. Notification should be prior to or on the same day as the absence.

3.1.4.1.2. Parents or doctors may verify student illness. No medical notes are required for excused absences, but are needed for extended absences in order to determine the need for homebound teacher and/or special consideration for chronic illness.

3.1.4.1.3. Excessive excused absences: Excused absences become excessive when the total of excused absences accrued during a quarter exceeds five (5) per class period for students in schools on a traditional schedule or three (3) per class period for students in schools on a block schedule. What this means in terms of points is, up to six (6) points in any one class period per quarter are not considered excessive for a student in a school on the block schedule. However, absences are considered excessive and initiate restitution once a student receives seven (7) or more points in any one class period per quarter. For schools on a traditional schedule, up to five (5) points in any one class period per quarter is not considered excessive. However, absences are considered excessive and initiate restitution once a student receives six (6) or more absences in any one class period per quarter. (see Consequences 3.2.3)

3.1.4.2. Unexcused absence. An unexcused absence is any absence that is not excused in accordance with the definition for an excused absence. One (1) restitution point for students in schools on a traditional schedule and two (2) restitution points for students in a school on a block schedule will be recorded for every unexcused absence. Work missed due to an unexcused absence must be made up within a reasonable time frame. (Appeal process is described in 3.6.)

3.1.4.2.1. Excessive unexcused absences. Unexcused absences become excessive when the total of excused absences accrued during a quarter exceeds five (5) per class period for students in schools on a traditional schedule or three (3) per class period for students in schools on a block schedule. What this means in terms of points is, up to six (6) points in any one class period per quarter are not considered excessive for a student in a school on the block schedule. However, absences are considered excessive and initiate restitution once a student receives seven (7) or more points in any one class period per quarter. For schools on a traditional schedule, up to five (5) points in any one class period per quarter is not considered excessive. However, absences are considered excessive and initiate restitution once a student receives six (6) or more absences in any one class period per quarter.

3.1.4.2.2. Truancy. If a student is absent from his/her assigned class, without parental or school knowledge and this absence does not meet the standard of an excused or exempt absence, that student is considered to be truant.

3.1.4.2.3. Truancy in any class period will automatically accrue seven (7) attendance points in block schedule schools and six (6) attendance points in traditional schedule schools. Truancy points will demand immediate restitution. Once appropriate restitution (one hour per class period in schools with traditional schedules and two hours per class period in schools with block schedules) is completed, the attendance points for that class will be reduced to the number or points accrued prior to the truancy.

3.1.4.3. Exempt absence. Exempt absences that qualify under District policy are not counted as an absence if the school receives the required notification. Examples of exempt absences would include:

Educational travel (must be approved by school administration),
School-related activity,
Office excused (If a student is detained in the office by school administration),
Medical/Chronic Illness (Verification may be required if absence is excessive),
Homebound absence (Must qualify under this policy),
Court/Detention absences
Bereavement (If not excessive)
Absences when operating under an approved IEP or 504 accommodation plan.

Students who are given exempt absence status are responsible for completion of the work missed when they were absent. Exempt absence status will not be considered when calculating excessive absenteeism.

3.1.4.3.1. Educational travel. Travel with a significant educational purpose, such as visits to museums, historical sites, education centers, wildlife preserves, or cultural events, may be considered educational travel. Seniors making campus visits to colleges where they are considering enrollment would also qualify for educational travel. Students excused for "Educational Travel" will not be counted as absent and will not accrue attendance points if they obtain administrative approval by complying with the following requirements:

3.1.4.3.1.1. Satisfactory arrangements are made with school administration and teachers prior to the absence.

3.1.4.3.1.2. An Educational Travel form is filled out and signed by the student, parent, administrator, and each of the student's teachers.

3.1.4.3.1.3. Appropriate assignments related to the travel have been completed and turned in.

3.1.4.3.1.4. It is recommended to parents that educational travel not be used more than once in a school year.

3.1.4.3.2. School-related activity. Students excused with administrative approval to participate in a school-related activity will not be counted as absent. School administrators will make a conscientious effort to minimize the number of school-excused absences.

3.1.4.3.3. Homebound absence. Students excused for homebound absences will not be counted as absent. In order to qualify for homebound absence a student must meet all of the following criteria:

3.1.4.3.3.1. A student must be absent for health-related reasons for a period of five (5) or more consecutive days. (In the case of a student who is undergoing surgery or has been injured in an accident, qualification for homebound is immediate.) Upon return to school, students will be responsible to make up the work they missed during their absence.

3.1.4.3.3.2. The illness or accident may require verification by a medical doctor (MD). (Utah Code 53A-11-102(1)(a)(iii))

3.1.4.3.3.3. When recovery from illness or accident exceeds five (5) school days, a student is eligible to have homework collected for the parent/guardian to pick up or an alternative educational program may be developed.

3.1.4.3.4. Chronic illness. Chronic health problems may or may not interfere with attendance at school and learning in the classroom. It is extremely important that parents notify the school concerning health-related problems that their students may have. Chronic illness would include but not be limited to: diabetes, asthma, and severe allergies. If the chronic illness hinders a student's attendance, the parent is invited to meet with a school administrator to formulate an individual attendance plan that will meet the student's needs. It is the responsibility of the parent to schedule such a meeting and to provide verification of the illness from a medical doctor (MD).

3.1.4.3.5. Court or detention will be considered an exempt absence if student can demonstrate required participation.

3.1.4.3.6. Absences due to bereavement (funeral) for family members will be considered exempt absences as long as they do not exceed the limit for excessive absence.

T - Tardy	Determined by individual school (may be 1 pt)
E - Excused absence	2 pts - Work can be made up
X - Unexcused absence	2 pts - Work must be made up
S - Truant	7 pts - All removed following required restitution
M - Medical/Chronic Illness	0 pts - (Verification may be required if excessive)
F - Flu	0 pts - (during epidemic)
H - Homebound	0 pts - Verification of need required
V - Educational Travel	0 pts - (Required approval of school administration)
B - Bereavement	0 pts - (If not excessive)
C - Court/Detention	0 pts
A - School related activity	0 pts
O - Office excused	0 pts
R - Restitution (1 hour)	1 attendance pt replaced

3.2.2.1. Excessive Excused Absences. Excessive excused absences are defined as absences totaling more than five (5) in any class period for students in schools on traditional schedules or more than three (3) in any class period for students in schools on a block schedule. Whether excused or unexcused, absences have a negative impact on student learning. Academic instructional time is critical to student learning. Once a student reaches an excessive number of absences in any class credit will be withheld, until restitution is completed.

3.2.2.2. Unexcused Absence. (See 3.1.4.2.) An unexcused absence is any absence that is not excused by the parent or guardian. With regard to required restitution, an unexcused absence will count as one (1) point for a student in a school on a traditional schedule and two (2) points for a student in a school on a block schedule.

3.2.2.3. Truant. (See 3.1.4.2.2.) A truant cannot be excused by a parent or guardian. Truancy in any class period will automatically accrue seven (7) attendance points for a student in a school on the block schedule and six (6) attendance points for students in a school on a traditional schedule. Truancy points will demand immediate restitution. Once appropriate restitution (one hour per class period in schools with traditional schedules and two hours per class period in schools with block schedules) is completed, the attendance points for that class will be reduced to the number of points accrued prior to the truancy.

3.2.3. No Grades. Exceeding the allowable number of attendance points in any class period during the same quarter, will result in the withholding of the grade and the credit for that class period. A grade of NG (No Grade) for that class period will appear on the next report card. The grade and credit will be restored when restitution is complete. A grade withheld does not influence the Grade Point Average, however, if it is not restored, it will result in the loss of credit required for graduation. Two (2) No Grades will result in loss of eligibility for participation in extracurricular activities. Graduation credit lost due to this policy may require make-up classes (See 3.4.2.).

3.2.4. Resolving minor's school attendance problems: Efforts of the school, District, and/or Board, shall include, as reasonably feasible:

3.2.4.1 Counseling by school authorities.

3.2.4.2 A written request for parental support in securing regular attendance by the minor, delivered by certified mail, containing notice of the requirements of this section (53A-11-101 to 106) and stating that refusal to respond to the notice is a class B misdemeanor.

3.2.4.3 At least one meeting with the minor and the parents, i.e., the School Attendance Review Board.

3.2.4.4. Any necessary adjustment to the curriculum and schedule to meet special needs of the minor.

3.2.4.5 Monitoring school attendance of the minor for a period not to exceed 30 days.

3.2.4.6 In addition, the School Board and/or District may enlist the assistance of community and law enforcement agencies as appropriate and reasonably feasible.

3.2.4.7 If attendance problems are not resolved, the local Board and District shall refer to the Fifth District Juvenile court for habitual truancy.

3.3.1. Parents will be notified by phone every time their student is absent without excuse or truant. Parents are responsible to provide the school with a current phone number. Parents are encouraged to monitor their student's attendance from this notification on, and are invited to call the attendance secretary at the school as often as necessary to help them with this task.

3.3.2. Parents will be notified the first time their student earns an NG. It is the responsibility of the parent from that time on to contact the attendance secretary at the school for information regarding subsequently withheld grades and credit. This procedure will be repeated each term. Restitution for a grade withheld may begin immediately following notification. In fact, students are encouraged to complete restitution prior to the end of term in which the grade was withheld. Restitution classes cannot be attended in advance of notification of an NG.

3.3.3. A parent, teacher, or a school administrator may request a conference to discuss the attendance of a student whom they deem to have an excessive number of absences. The proposed conference would consider steps that might be taken to improve attendance. A request for such a conference would precede a referral to juvenile court for truancy.

3.4. Restitution.

3.4.1. Restitution requirements. Attendance at "Restitution Classes" will be required in order to earn the release of grades and credit withheld. Restitution shall accrue hour for hour. There will be a charge of $5.00 for each one hour restitution session. Restitution for missing one class period on the block schedule will require two hours of restitution at a cost of $10.00. This charge will help to cover the cost of operating the restitution class. When points in a class above the allowable six (6) for block schedule schools or five (5) for traditional schools have been removed, the academic grade will be restored and credit issued. (Revised 11-11-97; 6-10-03)

3.4.2. Time limit for restitution. As outlined in Section 3.3 of the parent notification section above, students are encouraged to complete restitution prior to the end of the term in which the grade was withheld. However, students will have until the end of the term following the one in which a grade was withheld to complete the requirements for restitution. No Grades may be restored after this period of time if the student receives approval from authorized school personnel. The student will be required to follow a plan prepared by the school representative, a parent and the student. The plan must satisfy the restitution requirement and ensure improved attendance. If restitution is not completed in accordance with this policy, all No Grades (NG) will remain on the student record and credit for the term in that class will be lost. Significant loss of credit will prevent graduation. For extracurricular activities, two NG’s will result in the loss of eligibility until restored.

3.4.3. Restitution classes. Restitution classes will be held in each school building. The classes will be conducted outside the regular school day and may be scheduled for Saturdays, summers, or night school. It is the responsibility of the student to check with the school regarding the schedule for restitution classes. Restitution classes will be conducted as study halls. Students will be required to engage in some academic pursuit. This will not be detention. Students who do not come with meaningful schoolwork will not be admitted. Students who are late will be turned away. Each secondary school will offer a maximum of 50 hours of restitution classes per quarter. Students will be required to enroll in restitution classes at the school where the points were acquired unless administrative arrangements are made by the involved principals.

3.5. Appeal process.

3.5.1 Students who have an NG as a result of this policy and feel that there are extenuating circumstances which should be considered are invited to request, in writing, that the grade be restored. Requests explaining the circumstances should be signed by the student and the parent or guardian and delivered to an administrator or Attendance Review Committee for consideration. Such appeals should be made within the term immediately following the receipt of the No Grade (NG). All appeals will be considered by the School Attendance Review Committee. The Washington County School Board will, also, participate in "due process." A student and his/her parent may appeal the decision of the Attendance Review Committee to the principal. They may, also, appeal the principal's decision by requesting (in writing through the Superintendent) a special hearing before a District Student Services Panel.

3.6. Dissemination.

3.6.1. This policy will be posted in a prominent place in each secondary school in the District. The policy will, also, be published in student registration materials; student, parent, and employee handbooks; and other appropriate school publications as directed by the Superintendent.

4.2. In accordance with the "State Compulsory Education Requirements" (Utah Code, Section 53A-11-101), and to help provide elementary age students with the best opportunities for learning, the following policy will apply at elementary schools within Washington County School District.

4.3. In order to ensure that a specific procedure is followed, a checklist that clearly describes each step in the process will be used for each instance of excessive absence. (See attachment 1.) The agenda described in the checklist is designed to help the school staff work with parents in providing a meaningful and consistent academic program for the child. The checklist should also be used to document earnest and persistent effort on the part of the school to provide a meaningful educational program.

4.5. When a student has accumulated twenty (20) attendance points during the school year, the school will contact the parents to set up a meeting. A letter will be sent to arrange and confirm the meeting time and place. (See attachment 3) School representatives should find what the explanation is for the lack of the attendance. The person(s) having this conversation must make notes or otherwise document specifically what the parent(s) said. Any or all of the following steps may be taken at the meeting.

Distribution: Board Members, Superintendent, Associations, Assistant Superintendents, Administrators and Principals.

Absences	1 day = 2 points
	1/2 day = 1 point
Tardies	1 tardy = 1 point