Attendance

Attendance Terms  As Defined By ESSA ( Every Student Succeeds Act):

• Truant and Habitually Truant:  “missing part or all of 5 or more days without an acceptable excuse” - Procedures are clearly outlined by ESSA.

• Chronic Absenteeism: Defined as missing so much school for any reason, that a student is academically at risk.  Missing 10% of school days within one academic year for any reason.  Students should have 15 or fewer absences each school year. Procedures are partially defined by ESSA.

• Tardy: Defined as missing part of a school day (may be the start of the day or period, as defined by the individual school districts)

• Unexcused Absence: No contact with the school related to the absence

• Excused Absence: Parent/guardian informs the school of the child's absence. 

Unexcused Absence Procedures - Elementary and Secondary:

• 1-2 Unexcused Absences - Safe arrival call

• 3 Unexcused Absences - Safe arrival call or home visit AND written notification

• 4 Unexcused Absences - Safe arrival call

• 5 Unexcused Absences - Letter requiring parent meeting to develop parent/student contract.   (If parent/guardian does not attend, school can proceed to Attendance Review Board)

• 6-9  Unexcused Absences- Continue to work with family to implement the Parent/Student Contract

• 10 Unexcused Absences- Attendance Review Board/ Truancy Court (Municipal)

Our district GOAL is to keep students at or below 10 absences (excused or unexcused) per year. ESSA’s GOAL is to keep students below 15 absences per year. SPASD does not distinguish between excused or unexcused absences.

• 3 Absences (21-24 periods at Secondary): Update from school (written or phone call)

• 7 Absences (49-56 periods at Secondary) : Attendance Priority Checklist completed and update from school

• 10 Absences (70-80 periods):  Letter home (Elementary or Secondary) and Attendance Priority Checklist reviewed and/or revised, parent/guardian meeting (option)

• 12+ Absences (84-96 periods): Attendance Priority Checklist review, parent/guardian meeting if haven’t already

Elementary:

3 - Contact from school (email, phone call or letter)

7 - Attendance Priority Checklist and contact from school

10 - Contact with written request for parent/guardian meeting

Secondary:

1-3: Teachers handle according to classroom policy and handbook

4-6: Letter home and consequences based on the school’s discipline procedure (handbook)

7-9: Complete Attendance Priority Checklist; consequence (Office Discipline Referral, Detention)

10+: Consequence (Office Discipline Referral, Detention, In School Suspension), letter home, intervention if not already tried

1. Incorporate attendance into our existing PBIS ( Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports)  systems in each building.

• Incentives

• Rewards

• Celebrations

2. Positive press about the importance of attendance.

3. Strong emphasis on educating parents about our district making attendance a priority.

4. Educating teachers and all staff on their roles in implementing these procedures.

Policy & Procedure