Attendance Policy

The America Reads & Counts program has an attendance policy that will be strictly enforced. The primary goal of our program is to provide the children we serve with the best support we can in helping them learn to read. You cannot help them if you are not there.

Tutors are allowed up to three excused absences and one unexcused absence each semester. Guidelines for excused absences are as follows:

      • Absences for academic commitments, job/internship interview, doctor's appointments, and vacations will only be considered excused if you provide notification at least one week in advance. You must notify your site coordinator (and teacher, if applicable) and our office via email. Your email must include the date(s) you will be absent, the reason you are unable to attend your shift(s), and the date you expect to return.
      • Absences for illness or personal/family emergency will only be considered excused if you provide notification before your tutoring session is expected to start (you should give as much advanced notice as possible). You must notify your site coordinator (and teacher, if applicable) and our office via email. Your email must include the date you will be absent, the reason you are unable to attend your shift, and the date you expect to return.
      • No call, no shows are not allowed. Failure to comply with the attendance policy and/or excessive absences will result in probation and/or dismissal from the program.

Attendance Verification

Sign-in sheets serve as the official record of the time you spend at the site and are used to verify HR Direct entries and time logs. Tutors are required to fill out the sign-in sheet completely to receive credit for being at their site.

Attendance FAQs

What if I didn’t finish a class assignment and need to skip tutoring?

It would be considered an unexcused absence. You are permitted one unexcused absence per semester, so use it wisely. While academics should be your first priority as a student, we expect you to plan ahead and organize your time so that you can balance all your commitments.

What if I have used my three Excused Absences and I get sick?

Additional absences are approved on a case-by-case basis. We do not want you to go to work sick, but we also must be reliable to our community partners. One of the measures used to approve additional absences will be overall communication. In other words, if you are communicating effectively with your site(s) and with the America Reads*Counts office, you are more likely to be granted an exception. You may be asked for documentation of illness in some cases.

What if I am sick for an extended period of time?

Tutors who have an extended illness or injury should notify the program coordinator by email if they expect an illness will require them to miss more than two days of tutoring. Absences are approved on a case-by-case basis. You may be asked for documentation of illness.

What if I have an important job interview but have used my three Excused Absences?

It would be considered an unexcused absence. You are permitted one unexcused absence per semester, so use it wisely. Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis for students who will be graduating in the current semester. Please contact the Program Coordinator for more information.

Can I make-up a missed session?

Yes, if approved by the teacher/site coordinator and the Program Coordinator. You must clear the make-up session with the Program Coordinator in order to be paid for that time. Make-up sessions DO NOT cancel out absences.

Do I need to go to tutoring when UMass Dartmouth classes are not in session?

No, you are not expected to tutor during UMass Dartmouth holidays, Spring Break, or after the last day of classes.

Do I need to go to tutoring on Professional Development Days, School Holidays, or School Vacations?

If the site is closed, you are not expected to tutor; however, some after-school programs operate on School Holidays and Vacations so be sure to check with your site coordinator.

What happens when my classroom is taking a test or is on a field trip?

You are not required to go to tutoring if you will not be able to tutor. Be sure to notify the office of your absence so you are not counted as a no call, no show. This type of absence does not count toward your three (3) excused absences.

How do I know what time school finishes on an Early Release Day?

It's two hours earlier than the school's normal day. If you are not sure and can't find the information on their website, you can call the school and ask.

What if I have extra absences at the end of the semester, can I skip tutoring to study?

You may use absences to attend to an academic commitment if you provide at least one week of advanced notice following the established procedure. Keep in mind that your tutees and teachers depend on your presence so take into consideration how your absence will effect your classroom and your students.

What if I have an emergency and am unable to contact my teacher and the program to report an absence?

No call, no shows are not allowed and are grounds for probation or immediate dismissal from the program. You are expected to notify your site coordinator/teacher and the America Reads*Counts office before you are expected at tutoring regardless of the emergency or illness. We strongly encourage you to save all relevant contact information for your site and our office on your phone. If you, despite your best efforts, are unable to contact the program coordinator and our office before your absence, we expect you to contact us as soon as possible. You will need to provide justification for the late notification. Further action will be determined on a case-by-case basis; it may be counted as an unexcused absence or you may be placed on probation or dismissed from the program.

What if I have an emergency that requires me to miss multiple days of tutoring?

Tutors who have an emergency should notify the Program Coordinator by email if they expect the emergency will require them to miss more than two days of tutoring. Absences are approved on a case-by-case basis. You may be asked for documentation of the emergency.

What if I forget to sign in or out at my site?

You must obtain proof of attendance the next time you work. Proof of attendance is as simple as a note from your site coordinator or teacher indicating you were at work on the date in question. You must submit this proof to our office no later than a week from the date in question.