- Robert E. Hendrickson High School
- FAQs
- Attendance
Attendance Policies
-
Compulsory Attendance
State law requires that a student between the ages of six and 18 attend school, as well as
any applicable accelerated instruction program, extended year program, or tutorial
session, unless the student is otherwise excused from attendance or legally exempt.
A student who voluntarily attends or enrolls after his or her 18th birthday is required to
attend each school day. If a student 18 or older has more than five unexcused absences in
a semester, however, the district may revoke the student’s enrollment. The student’s
presence on school property thereafter would be unauthorized and may be considered
trespassing.
State law requires attendance in an accelerated reading instruction program when
kindergarten, first grade, or second grade students are assigned to such a program.
Parents will be notified in writing if their child is assigned to an accelerated reading
instruction program as a result of the reading diagnosis test.
School employees must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory
attendance law. A student absent without permission from school; from any class; from
required special programs, such as additional special instruction (termed “accelerated
instruction” by the state) assigned by a grade placement committee and basic skills for
ninth graders; or from required tutorials will be considered in violation of the compulsory
attendance law and subject to disciplinary action.
A court of law may also impose penalties against both the student and his or her parentsif a school-aged student is deliberately not attending school. A complaint against the
parent may be filed in court if the student:
• Is absent from school on ten or more days or parts of days within a six-month period
in the same school year, or
• Is absent on three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period.
• If the student is over 18 the student’s parent shall not be subject to penalties as a
result of their child’s violation of state compulsory attendance law. [See
FEA(LEGAL)]
Attendance for Credit
To receive credit in a class, a student must attend at least 90 percent of the days the class
is offered. A student who attends at least 75 percent but fewer than 90 percent of the
days the class is offered may receive credit for the class if he or she completes a plan,
approved by the principal, that allows the student to fulfill the instructional requirements
for the class. If a student is involved in a criminal or juvenile court proceeding, the
approval of the judge presiding over the case will also be required before the student
receives credit for the class.
If a student attends less than 75 percent of the days a class is offered or has not completed
the plan approved by the principal, then the student will be referred to the attendance
review committee to determine whether there are extenuating circumstances for the
absences and how the student can regain credit, if appropriate. [See policies at FEC]
In determining whether there were extenuating circumstances for the absences, the
attendance committee will use the following guidelines:
• All absences will be considered in determining whether a student has attended the
required percentage of days. If makeup work is completed, absences for religious
holy days and documented health-care appointments will be considered days of
attendance for this purpose. [See policies at FEB.]
• A transfer or migrant student begins to accumulate absences only after he or she has
enrolled in the district. For a student transferring into the district after school
begins, including a migrant student, only those absences after enrollment will be
considered.
• In reaching a decision about a student’s absences, the committee will attempt to
ensure that it is in the best interest of the student.
• The committee will consider the acceptability and authenticity of documented
reasons for the student’s absences.
• The committee will consider whether the absences were for reasons over which the
student or the student’s parent could exercise any control.
• The committee will consider the extent to which the student has completed all
assignments, mastered the essential knowledge and skills, and maintained passing
grades in the course or subject.
• The student or parent will be given an opportunity to present any information to the
committee about the absences and to talk about ways to earn or regain credit.
In accordance with FEC(LOCAL), the committee may impose one or more of the
conditions outlined in policy for receiving credit lost because of excessive absences.
The student or parent may appeal the committee’s decision to the Board of Trustees by
filing a written request with the superintendent in accordance with policy FNG(LOCAL).
The actual number of days a student must be in attendance in order to receive credit will
depend on whether the class is for a full semester or for a full year.
Parent’s Note After An Absence
When a student must be absent from school, the student—upon returning to school—
must bring a note, signed by the parent that describes the reason for the absence. A note
signed by the student, even with the parent’s permission, will not be accepted unless the
student is 18 or older.
Doctor’s Note After An Absence for Illness
Upon return to school, a student absent for more than three consecutive days because of a
personal illness may be required to bring a statement from a doctor or health clinic
verifying the illness or condition that caused the student’s extended absence from school.
[See FEC (LOCAL).]