Student Absent Policy

DODEA SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY

(DoDEA 2095.01 School Attendance)

In order to learn effectively, students need to arrive at school and each class on time. The school day start and end time will vary by school.

Student absences should be rare. DoDEA has standards and procedures for excused absences and a series of steps to address unexcused absences. The repercussions for repeated improper absence can include disciplinary measures, but more importantly gaps in educational performance will occur that will negatively impact achievement.

Regular attendance is essential to academic success. DoDEA Pacific East adheres to the requirements of the DoDEA Attendance Program. Parents should remember that under block scheduling any student missing a 90 minute class is missing the equivalent of two missed academic periods of instructions. All students are expected to attend school daily unless they have a valid excuse. There will be no academic penalty for excused absences. It is highly recommended, when possible that, extended family trips be scheduled during school vacations. Students are required to complete the school year. Families that are PCS’ing are allowed to participate in the Accelerated Program if they are leaving no more than 20 days prior to the end of the school year. Early departure at the end of the school year is highly discouraged.

Notification of Daily Absence

When students miss school for 3 days or less, a parent must email or call the main office to inform the school of the absence and the reason.

Request for Extended Absence

Parents must come in and complete an Advance Notification of Extended Absence Form for absences more than 5 consecutive school days. This form must be completed 5 days prior to the absence. Once the form is approved by administration, the student must obtain teacher signatures and work to be completed. The form is then returned to the main office and the student is given a copy.

Excused Absences

There are two types of excusable absences. The first is unanticipated – for example, a sudden illness. The second type is anticipated – for example, medical, dental, or legal appointments.

Examples of excusable absences include, but are not limited to:

• Personal illness
• Medical, dental or legal appointments
• Serious illness in the student’s immediate family
• A death in the student’s immediate family or of a relative
• Recognized religious holidays
• Emergency conditions such as fire, flood, or storm
• Unique family circumstances warranting absence and coordinated with the school administration

Unexcused Absence

There are two types of unexcused absences. The first is called a “tardy,” which results when a student is late to class. The second is a failure to come to school on time or improperly leaving the school grounds. Students are to be present in the classroom on time or are counted as tardy. Students who are detained by a teacher, principal, assistant principal, counselor, or main office personnel are given a pass. If a student arrives late to school after the first bell has rung, the student must report to the main office for a pass to the first class. Tardiness is recorded during each nine-week period for each class.

A more serious problem for students is when they fail to come to school or leave school for unexcusable reasons. These reasons include but are not limited to:

• Oversleeping
• Missing the bus, missing a ride, or arriving late due to fault of the sponsor
• Walking the dog
• Non-school sponsored functions
• Going home for forgotten homework or materials
• Babysitting

Students whose absences or tardies are unexcused are required to make up work. However, appropriate disciplinary action may be taken.

The principal has the final authority to identify an absence as excused or unexcused.

Excessive School Absences

Students, who are not physically present in school because they are hospitalized or otherwise receiving home-bound services, are excluded from identification of excessive school absence. Student attendance is calculated based upon the date of enrollment in a DoDEA School, which may occur anytime during the school year.

After 5 cumulative absences: After 5 excused or unexcused in a semester, the administration will review the student’s academic performance and the reasons for the absences to determine the impact of repeated absence on the student’s academic and social emotional progress. Consideration shall be made for the student’s unique circumstances to include illness, participation in extracurricular activities, or approved extended leave. The Student Support Team comprised of the student’s teacher team, counselor, school psychologist, and administration, will review the student’s case and, if appropriate, develop a Student Educational Monitoring Plan to support the student’s successful completion and advancement for the current school year.

After 7 cumulative absences: After 7 excused or unexcused absences in a semester, the Student Support Team (SST) will convene to review the student’s academic and social emotional progress and develop or review the existing Student Educational Monitoring Plan (SEMP). When appropriate, the principal shall request Command assistance to ensure that appropriate action or services are implemented to improve school attendance.

Student Educational Monitoring Plan: A written plan which includes the specific assignments or experiences to be completed by the student while not physically attending school. The plan will include a copy of the class outline or course syllabus identifying the assignments which must be completed upon the student’s return to school.

Students, who are identified by the Student Support Team (SST) as at-risk for not fulfilling the grade or course standards, shall be monitored throughout the school year and the SST reconvened to consider the student’s unique circumstances and determine what additional educational supports are needed, to include, but not limited to:

• Meeting with parent or sponsor
• Command assistance
• Participation in make-up classes and/or summer school course(s)
• Establishment of an Attendance Plan for the following school year by the SST
• Loss of credit

Updated 12/16/2019