4100 -STUDENT ATTENDANCE

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 classwork 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.

4100.1 Minimum Attendance Requirement

Students in grades 9-12 may be denied credit for semester courses in which they have been absent for more than 10 days or in year-long courses in which they have been absent for more than 20 days. (Schools with block or other alternative scheduling shall establish equivalent attendance requirements.) If a student transfers from one DPS school to another during the school year, absences recorded at the sending school will transfer to the receiving school.

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, 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.

Where a student exceeds the absence limits set by this policy, the principal shall notify the parent/guardian or custodian that the student will be retained or denied course credit.

4100.2 Right to Appeal Denial of Course Credit/Retention

Each school shall establish attendance committees to hear appeals from grade retention or denial of credit decisions made under this policy. The Board authorizes such committees to overrule retention or denial of credit when necessary to meet the best interest of the student. The committee shall include at least the following persons and shall reflect the gender and racial makeup of the school:
a. the principal or designee,
b. one or more counselors,
c. two teachers, and
d. other appropriate licensed support staff. A student who has received notice of retention or denial of course credit under this policy may appeal to the principal in writing within five school days. The student should attach to the appeal any documents relevant to the appeal.

After the attendance committee receives an appeal, the committee shall review the student's absences and any documents submitted by the student or on file at school explaining the absences. The committee may grant the student credit or promotion based on its document review. If the committee finds that existing documents provide insufficient information on which to base a decision, it shall schedule a meeting with the student and parent/guardian or custodian. The committee shall make a written summary of the meeting.

The committee shall decide whether to waive attendance requirements within two working days after the meeting. The principal or designee shall notify the parent/guardian or custodian of the decision in writing. Students may appeal the committee's decision to the Superintendent in writing within five days after receiving notice of the decision. The Superintendent shall notify the parent/guardian or custodian of the Superintendent's decision in writing. Students may appeal the Superintendent's decision to the Board in writing within five days after receiving notice of the Superintendent's decision.

Adopted Effective: July 2, 1992
Revised: September 27, 1995
Revised Effective: July 1, 1999
Revised Effective: September 28, 2000