The purpose of this policy is to encourage daily attendance in all classes. Attendance at school is essential if a student expects to do well. Regular attendance is necessary for successful completion of required class work and promotion to the next grade. Moreover, attendance and participation in class are integral parts of the teaching-learning process, and regular attendance develops patterns of behavior essential to successful personal, social and professional life.
In keeping with Board Policy 3200, rewards and penalties in the form of grades shall not be used as attendance incentives. Each school shall develop attendance incentives that do not involve grades to encourage attendance.
4100.1 MINIMUM ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT
A student is absent from school for the purposes of this section when the student is not present for at least half of the school day, whether the absence is excused or unexcused. A student is absent from a class for the purposes of this section if the student misses more than half the class period, whether the absence is excused or unexcused. Absences resulting from participation in school-sponsored activities will not count against the minimum attendance requirement. This policy does not limit a teacher or principal from imposing disciplinary sanctions for students who miss portions of the school day or a class without excuse.
A student who is absent from school shall within three days of returning to school furnish a written excuse from the student's parent/guardian, custodian, or doctor stating the dates and reason for the absences. After five consecutive or ten accumulated absences in a semester, the principal may require a written doctor's excuse for any additional absences attributed to illness.
When a student has been absent from class or school ten times in a semester or twenty times in a school year, whether excused or unexcused, the principal or designee shall notify the parent/guardian or custodian of the absences in writing. The notice shall include a warning of the possible consequences of additional absences and/or a copy of this policy. Excessive unexcused absences may violate the compulsory attendance law and will be addressed pursuant to Policy 4101-Compulsory Attendance. Unexcused absences may result in disciplinary action as provided under Policy 4301-Student Code of Conduct.
4100.2 PROVIDING SUPPORT TO STUDENTS WITH EXCESSIVE ABSENCES
The principal and school staff shall take appropriate action to help prevent excessive absences and provide counseling for students with a history of excessive absences. A student's parent/guardian or custodian must be notified of excessive absences, and the teacher, counselor, and social worker then shall work with the student and family to analyze the causes and determine steps to eliminate the problem. The Superintendent shall designate a school system employee to assist parents or other caretakers, principals and social workers with chronic cases of absenteeism.
The designated employee shall work closely with the juvenile justice system, the city and county police departments, the Department of Social Services, Durham Housing Authority and other community agencies to establish support systems for students who refuse to attend school regularly. The designated employee shall request that immediate consequences be imposed when students under court mandate to attend school do not comply.
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Legal references: N.C.G.S. 115C-378, 379, 381
Cross reference: Policies
Adopted Effective: July 2, 1992
Revised: September 27, 1995
Revised Effective: July 1, 1999
Revised Effective: September 28, 2000
Revised Effective: June 17, 2010
Revised Effective: December 15, 2011
