6000                                                          

ATTENDANCE

6000

Attendance in school is central to educational achievement and school success. School attendance is required by state law for all children between the ages of seven (7) and sixteen (16). Parents must ensure that students attend and remain in school daily.

6000.1

The principal must assure adherence to attendance rules and regulations and notify parents of their responsibility under the compulsory attendance law. The teacher must monitor and report student absences on a daily and class basis and follow all rules and regulations concerning attendance.

6000.2

To be counted present a student must be in attendance at least one-half of the student school day. This shall include attendance at official school activities at a place other than school with the approval of the principal. A student shall be in his/her assigned area at the beginning of the school day and the beginning of each class or be recorded as tardy.

6000.3

An absence is excused if the following conditions exist:

A.

Illness or injury which makes the student physically unable to attend school.

B.

Isolation ordered by the State Board of Health or the Wake County Health Department.

C.

Death in family.

D.

Medical, dental, or other appointment with a health care provider for the student or for a child for whom the student is a custodial parent.

E.

Court when a student is under subpoena.

F.

Religious observance, as suggested by the religion of the student or the student's parents.

G.

Participation in a valid educational opportunity, such as travel with prior approval, as documented on the "Request for Excused Absence for Educational Reasons."

H.

A catastrophic event or natural disaster.

6000.4

Absences not classified as excused in 6000.3 are unexcused. The student is responsible for submitting a note signed by the parent citing the reason for an absence to the principal's designee within two (2) days of the student's return to school. Failure to comply with the above will result in the absence being unexcused.

6000.5

For all absences, the student shall make up all work in a timely manner at the convenience of the teacher. The make-up work may be specific material missed by the student, reinforcement, or enrichment.

6000.6

Excessive absences will have serious academic consequences and may result in class or grade-level failure.

6000.7

At the elementary level, excused and unexcused absences above thirty (30) are excessive. Students who exceed thirty (30) absences during the year will be referred to an attendance committee that will determine if the student should be retained. The principal shall have the authority to waive the decision of the committee.

6000.8

At the secondary level cumulative absences above ten (10) in a block course (twenty (20) in a full-year course) are excessive.  After five (5) days of accumulated absences in one or more block courses, (ten (10) in a full-year course) there will be school-determined, expectations-based intervention to help the student improve his or her attendance.  The intervention will involve parents.  After ten (10) days of accumulated absences in a block course (twenty (20) in a full-year course) and failure to meet previously-determined expectations, the student will be subject to failure, retention, or summer school.

6000.9

All schools will develop a plan to improve attendance.  As part of this plan, each school will establish procedures to develop and implement interventions disciplinary action for unexcused absences and a process for dealing with students who fail to meet previously-determined expectations.

6000.10

The principal shall have the authority to waive the school-based decision after excessive absences as defined in 6000.8.

6000.11

Students with documented, chronic health problems will be exempted from the policy if absences are excused.

Legal Reference: G.S. 115C-378, G.S. 115C-379, G.S. 115C-381, G.S. 7A-717, and G.S.7A-726

Adopted: June 29, 1988

Revised: February 18, 1991

Revised: August 21, 1995

Revised: January 21, 2003

Revised: September 18, 2007