Attendance policy

TUVA Attendance ​

As TUVA has transitioned from a program to a school, there is now a bigger emphasis on students attending all assigned classes all day long. In order for Teacher Led Students to earn credit they must attend and pass all classes. Self-Scheduled Students will need to log in for each class a total of 5 hours a week per class. Please be sure to discuss the importance of daily attendance and engagement with your student.​

Student Engagement​

• Teacher Led TUVA students are expected to participate actively and leave their cameras on during each class session. In the event a scholar is not able to turn the camera on, it must be evident they are actively participating. Active participation may be demonstrated through verbal responses, participation in live lessons, and/or interaction in the chat. To be considered present, scholars must be present  for more than 50% of the class period.​

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• Self-Scheduled students will need to log into APEX for a minimum of 5 hours per class per week and complete assignments and quizzes while logged in.​

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Governing Board Policy - Section J – Student Attendance​ - Regulation Code: JE-R

• The administration, teachers, attendance clerks and other school staff will work closely with parents and/or guardians to establish regular attendance for all students. Regular participation in classroom activities fosters critical thinking, communication skills, and responsibility, all of which are essential skills for future employment. Good attendance in school is also part of the self-discipline that we try to instill in our students to enable them to act as responsible members of the community.​

Excused Absences​

• Any absence due to illness, vacation, death in the family, religious observance, accident, or other unusual personal circumstances may be excused, provided a message is received from the parents/guardians stating the day, time and reason for the absence.​

• Absences reported after 48 hours may not be excused.

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Unexcused Absences​

• Unexcused absences can affect grades, assessments, participation in extra-curricular activities and promotion/graduation.​

• Until determined otherwise through a parent/guardian telephone call to the school and a written excuse from the parent/guardian, every absence will be considered unexcused.​

Notification Sequence​

• Parents/Guardians will be contacted when absences are getting in the way of progress toward reaching the standards.​

• At the first sign the student is deficient in his/her work possibly due to the number of absences, an intervention plan will be established in collaboration with the parents/guardians.​

• All communication with parents regarding absences should include the following statement: Pursuant to A.R.S. §15-802(E), parents who do not ensure their child(ren) between the ages of 6-16 regularly attend school, may be held criminally liable.​

Exceptional Education & 504​

• All students with identified attendance issues will be managed in the same manner as all other students, unless the Individual Education Plan identifies special circumstances.​

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Consequences of Excessive Absenteeism for 6-8th Grade Students​

• Make-up work will be assigned as applicable.​

• Additional time may be required (i.e. before or after school).​

• Excessive absences may impact student grades.​

• Unexcused absences may include a referral to a truancy and criminal liability.​

Consequences of Excessive Absenteeism for 9th - 12th Grade Students​

• Make-up work will be assigned as applicable.​

• Additional time may be required (i.e. before or after school).​

• Excessive absences may impact student grades.​

• Unexcused absences may include a referral to a truancy officer and criminal liability.​

• All parent/guardian contacts and interventions are documented. ​

• Teachers will continue to give letter grades on all student work and record the grades.​

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High School Appeal Process for Loss of Credit Due to Excessive Unexcused Absences​

• Parents/Guardians or students may file a written appeal for review by the Appeals Committee at the school. ​

• The Appeals Committee will consist of one administrator, one guidance counselor, and one teacher. ​

• The written appeal, including all supporting documentation, must be received by the building principal within ten days of the end of the credit period. ​

• The final decision will rest with the Committee. ​

• Any further unexcused absence during the appeals process may result in dismissal of appeal and loss of credit.​

Appeals Committee will consider granting credit when:​

• Absences are reduced and the student remains in class.​

• Homework is being completed in a timely manner.​

• Grades reflect that the student has met the requirements of the course. ​

• If the result of the class ends with a failing final grade the student/parent may appeal the failing grade to the Governing Board. (Promotion, Retention, Acceleration Regulation IKE-R Appeal Process).​

Definitions

Attendance: The presence of each student in scheduled instruction.

Excessive Absence: Absences for 10% or more of the required attendance days (18 or more absences during the 180 day school year).​

Tardy: Not in the classroom by the time the bell rings, missing up to (but not more) than 50% of the instructional period.

Register of Attendance: Any written or electronic record maintained for the purpose of recording the attendance, absence, tardiness, or early departure of a student.​

Scheduled Instruction: Every period that a student is scheduled to attend actual instruction or their designated learning environment of study.​

Truancy: An unexcused absence of a child who is between six and sixteen years of age for at least one class period during the day from compulsory school.​

Truant Child: A child who is between six and sixteen years of age and who is not in attendance at a public or private school during the hours that school is in session, unless excused.​

Habitually Truant: Is a child who is truant for at least five school days within a school year.​

Excused Absence: Absences that the parents/guardians have documented/authorized with time and reason.​

Unexcused Absence: Absence without approval of parents/guardians is considered truancy and unexcused.