3.18 Extensive Student Absences

EXTENSIVE STUDENT ABSENCES

CASE MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES

Students should not be dismissed from a service based solely upon extensive absences or lack of participation. In cases of chronic and severe absence or non-participation the following steps are to be utilized:

• Develop, implement and document school site interventions and other procedures to improve attendance

• If unsuccessful, the IEP team shall convene a meeting to review additional strategies that can be implemented to improve attendance or participation and implement those that are identified as potentially helpful.

• We must find out the root cause(s) of this students absences. It some cases it may be appropriate to hold a manifestation Determination to identify these root causes. A special education student cannot be dismissed from a school or service without an a manifestation determination to identify:

1. if the students behavior is directly related to their disability or

2. The IEP was properly implemented.

If the answer to these questions is "NO," then a process for removal can begin. However, it is the schools responsibility to find a suitable placement for this student.

IEP team meetings are required under a variety of situations. An IEP team meeting must be held when a student demonstrates a lack of anticipated progress (E.C. § 56343(b)); Extensive student absences impacts the student's ability to make progress. The Case Manager must convene an IEP meeting for students with extensive student absences to review, revise and develop appropriate interventions.