Plain Text Law

Regulation .05 Student Attendance Policy.

Regulation .05 Student Attendance Policy.Copy Citation

A.
Definitions. In this regulation, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(1)
“Chronic absence” means a student has been enrolled in a school for at least 10 days and has missed 10 percent or more of the school days for any lawful or unlawful reason while enrolled at that school.
(2)
Chronic Absenteeism.
(a)
“Chronic absenteeism” means a student has been in membership in a school for at least 10 days and is absent 10 percent or more of the school days while enrolled at that school.
(b)
A student can be counted as chronically absent in multiple schools, within the State, in the same year.
(3)
“Day of attendance” means a student is attending an instructional program approved by the State, local school system or school for greater than half the school day.
(a)
A student is “present” or “attending” if the student is attending an instructional program by the State, local school system, and/or school as defined in Regulation .01D of this chapter; or
(b)
A student is physically on school grounds or is participating in instruction or instruction-related activities at an approved off-grounds location as defined in Regulation .01D of this chapter.
(4)
“Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)” means a proactive and preventative framework that aims to foster growth and success by ensuring all students receive equitable academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support utilizing multiple data points to identify students requiring intervention through three tiers of support.
B.
Each local school system shall develop a student attendance policy which includes the following.
(1)
A general statement dealing with the local school system's purpose and rationale for promoting regular school attendance.
(2)
Reasons for lawful and unlawful absences and tardiness include lawful/unlawful absence as defined in Regulations .03 and .04 of this chapter. Clarification of special situations for unlawful absence may also be identified.
(3)
Standards for regular attendance include minimal requirements for student attendance in order to foster continuity of the instructional program. The standards for school attendance may identify a specific number of excessive or unlawful absences allowed within a marking period, semester, or school year.
(4)
Procedure to verify absences/tardiness includes responsible persons, time limits, and methods of absent/tardy verification.
(5)
Best practices to identify, prevent, and eliminate chronic absenteeism that are culturally responsive and nonpunitive, which may include:
(a)
Conducting an in-depth analysis of qualitative and quantitative data to identify priorities for support;
(b)
Identifying and utilizing a team at the local school system level to oversee the systemwide strategy for attendance improvement;
(c)
Requiring each school to have a team to oversee the school-wide strategies for attendance improvement and reduction of chronic absenteeism;
(d)
Developing and implementing a comprehensive communication plan to communicate the importance of regular student attendance to students and parents or guardians;
(e)
Identifying and addressing common barriers to attendance to determine the best course of action to improve student attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism;
(f)
Engaging in continuous improvement activities using qualitative and quantitative data to determine effective strategies;
(g)
Promoting non-punitive strategies that address the root causes of student absence; and
(h)
Engaging families using positive, proactive, and non-punitive strategies.
(6)
A multi-tiered system of supports that uses evidence-based identification and responsive strategies to ensure high-quality academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports for all students.
(7)
Penalties for not meeting standards for regular attendance requirements include actions taken by school system staff when a student is unlawfully absent or accumulates an equivalent number of excessive or unlawful absences which exceeds the standard for regular school attendance. The penalties should be identified, and should reflect a continuum of excessive or unlawful absences.
(8)
Make-up work requirements include classroom teacher and student responsibility, time limits, and grading policy for make-up work. Make-up work requirements may also involve a procedure for completing class work in advance of an absence wherever possible.
(9)
Attendance-monitoring procedure includes:
(a)
Record-keeping format to comply with State attendance reporting requirements;
(b)
Intervention strategies and procedures for dealing with absenteeism at the beginning stages of the problem as well as chronic absenteeism; and
(c)
A referral process to pupil services or other central office professionals for case management of chronic attendance cases.
(10)
Reward process includes an identified motivational program to reward regular school attendance.
(11)
Information dissemination includes methods for informing school staff, students, parents, and community members of attendance policy requirements.
(12)
Appeals process includes specific due process procedures for appealing attendance violation decisions at the school and central office level.
(13)
Legal foundation includes citations of legal authority for attendance policy development and implementation.
C.
Each local school system shall:
(1)
Review its student attendance data at least annually;
(2)
Publicly post the most recent student attendance policy on the local school system’s website; and
(3)
Require each school within the local school system to include the most recent student attendance policy on the school’s website and in the school’s student handbook.
D.
The Department will collect data on student attendance to support local school systems in the development and implementation of local student attendance policies.