Attendance

ACPS Attendance Policy 20-21

We understand that this school year has come with many changes. We feel it is important to remind parents of the current attendance policy in place for 2020-2021. This year, work completion is an indicator for attendance. Therefore, if your child does not complete any work for the week, then it would result in unexcused absences. Your child will need to complete work in order to be marked present for the school day if in virtual only.

If your child accumulates 15 or more consecutive absences, then they will be un-enrolled.


Attendance this year is based on two different markers

For virtual learners: Based on work completion

For blended learners: They are marked present or absent on the days they are assigned

to attend

*If a virtual student has completed some work then they are marked present for the day

**Therefore, a student could be failing all classes but not be marked truant


*For either learning format, the school and/or school social worker may request a meeting to discuss the circumstances surrounding your child’s current attendance and academic progress. We would like to partner with our families to create a more successful learning experience for our students!


What do the codes mean in Parent Portal:

AE-Absent exempt (for families who tested positive or needing to quarantine after exposure)

AVP-Absent virtual participation (counted as unexcused)

ABU-Absent unexcused (counted as unexcused if no note-did not attend school on their designated day)

ABE-Absent excused

AMED-Absent Medical (sickness, dr. note received, not COVID)


If your child misses school on their assigned day but does virtual work---they will still be marked absent for the day. A note or email must be received in order for the absence to be marked as excused.


Reminders:

If your child is unable to attend school on their designated attendance day, notify your child’s school.

The same rules for excused absences apply:

  • Pre-arranged vacations

  • Dr. notes or parent note indicating personal illness or injury of the student.

  • Court subpoena/summons for the student (pre-arranged with school officials)

  • Death or serious illness in the family.

  • Emergency/extenuating circumstances determined to be unavoidable by the principal. Direct communication with the principal is necessary.


*If your family has tested positive for COVID or must quarantine due to exposure-please notify your child’s school immediately. Depending on the circumstance, with the assistance of the Virginia Health Department, the school may provide you with a specific date that your student can return to school.


Strategies for improved attendance:

  • Become an observer of your child’s CANVAS account

  • Sign up for Parent Portal on Infinite Campus

  • Communicate regularly with teachers and principal with any concerns

  • Send notes following absences

  • Communicate to the school if there are internet or device issues needing to be resolved

  • Contact your school social worker if needing additional community resources

  • Exposure to language: Starting in Pre-K, attendance equals exposure to language-rich environments especially for low-income children.

  • Time on Task in Class: Students only benefit from classroom instruction if they are in class.

  • On Track for Success: Chronic absence is a proven early warning sign that a student is behind in reading by 3rd grade, failing middle & high school classes, and likely to drop-out.

  • College Readiness: Attendance patterns predict college enrollment and persistence.

  • Engagement: Attendance reflects engagement in learning.

Long Term Consequences of Chronic Absenteeism:

A student only has a 56.3% chance of graduating if they've missed more than 20%

A student only has a 41.6% chance of graduating if they've been chronically absent

"Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing ten percent or more of the academic year for any reason, including excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions. Based on a 180-day school year, that means approximately 18 days per year or 2 to 3 days per month.

Truancy is the act of accruing one or more unexcused absences, where the parent is unaware of or does not support the student’s absence, or where the parent’s provided reason for the absence is not acceptable to the school administration.

Missed instruction, regardless of the reason, can have significant academic consequences. Therefore, the broader emphasis is on improving attendance for every student." -VDOE

A Rhode Island Data Hub analysis found that compared to kindergartners who attend regularly, those chronically absent:

•Scored 20% lower in reading and math in later grades and gap grows

•2X as likely to be retained in grade.

•2X likely to be suspended by the end of 7th grade.

•Likely to continue being chronically absent

Chronically absent 9th graders are 10xs more likely to not graduate on time.

1 in 8 students are chronically absent-missing 15+ days (includes suspensions, unexcused and excused)

Poor children are 4x more likely to be chronically absent in K than their highest income peers.


Children in poverty are more likely to lack basic supports that help them get to school. They often face:

**Unstable Housing

**Limited Access to Health Care

**Lack of Safe Paths to School

**Inadequate Food and Clothing

**Chaotic Schools with Poor Quality Programs, etc.

**Unreliable Transportation