Gooding Joint School District No. 231
STUDENTS 3050
Attendance Policy
The entire process of education requires a regular continuity of instruction, classroom participation, learning experiences, and study in order to reach the goal of maximum educational benefits for each individual child. The regular contact of the students with one another in the classroom and their participation in instructional activities under the tutelage of a competent teacher are vital to this purpose. This is an established principle of education that underlies and gives purpose to the requirement of compulsory schooling in this and every other state in the nation. The good things that schools have to offer can only be presented to students who are in attendance. With continued emphasis regarding Excellence in Education, all parties involved in attendance can better strive for quality in the classroom. Attendance reflects a student’s
dependability and is a significant factor on the student’s permanent record. Future employers are as much concerned about punctuality and dependability as they are about academic record.
School success, scholarship, and job opportunity are greatly affected by a good attendance record.
90% Attendance
The intent of the Board of Trustees is to have students attend school on a regular basis. Regular and consistent attendance results in increased learning. It is also the intent of the Board of Trustees to have the regular classroom teacher present whenever possible. A student’s presence in the classroom with the regular teacher contributes to time on task, and time on task attributes directly to learning.
All students must be in attendance in each classroom 90% of the time when that class is in session. No credit will be granted to students missing more than seven (7) days per semester. The administration shall adjudicate absences where the total number of days is brought below 7 days through doctor’s excuses and legitimate illness.
The ONLY absences that WILL NOT be used in calculating the attendance record are:
- Those that occur due to school-sponsored activities, since these are considered an equivalent educational experience. These exemptions will apply to students participating in sports events, cheerleading, music related events, FFA trips, academic field trips, and others deemed co-curricular.
- Bereavement in the immediate family (grandmother, grandfather, father, mother, sister, brother). Any extended bereavement may be reviewed by the Attendance Board;
- Subpoenas to appear in court or court-ordered, out-of-district placements for special services; and
- Illness or hospitalization verified by a doctor’s
Absences which will be counted in the 90% limit will include such areas as: family trips, work days, vacations, visiting friends or relatives, suspension in and out of school, watching tournaments when not an actual participant, hair, medical, dental, or photography appointments, skiing, hunting, court appearances, attending concerts, shopping, or any others not mentioned which are unacceptable to the Attendance Board.
Disenrollment/Re-enrollment on the Basis of Attendance
Students may be dropped from enrollment records after they miss five (5) consecutive days of attendance or fifteen (15) cumulative days of attendance. Notification to the school by a parent/guardian of the reason for the absence will be considered prior to the student being dropped. Students will be re-enrolled on the date they return to and begin attending school.
Truancy
Attendance at school is more than a legal obligation; it is a privilege. Every child of compulsory school age must be in attendance unless otherwise exempted as provided in Idaho Code §§ 33- 204, 205 or as determined by school authorities.
The absence of a student from class or any portion of a class for any reason other than illness, emergency, or activities which have prior approval of the administration is to be considered an unexcused absence and therefore, an act of truancy.
When a student is absent for any reason except for a school-sponsored or an administration- approved absence, an adequate acceptable excuse must be provided within two (2) school days following return to school; otherwise, the absence is classified as unexcused. Parents, guardians, doctors or other responsible persons should provide excuses for all students except married students or those of age 18 with a current signed parent consent form on file, who may speak for themselves. An advance excused absence for trips, work, hunting, etc. may be provided to students who are passing. An advance excused absence must be approved prior to the absence by the principal and must include adequate provision to make up class work. Students with poor academic standing or who have been truant in the current or preceding semester are ineligible for advance excuses. An advance excused absence requires the prior approval of each of the student’s teachers and the principal.
Any student who is a truant for the first time will have the parent contacted and serve detention. The second truancy will result in a student-parent/guardian-principal conference and the student may be placed on suspension. Four truancies will result in a recommendation to the Board of Trustees for expulsion from school. If the student is found to be a habitual truant by the board of Trustees, an authorized representative will notify the prosecuting attorney for purposes of filing a complaint against the student in juvenile court for violation of I.C. § 33-206, and against the parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the care of the child if they knowingly allowed the student to become habitual truant.
A student who has been expelled for attendance violations may petition the Board for reinstatement. Such petition may be granted upon presentation of a firm and unequivocal commitment to maintain regular attendance.
90% Attendance Appeal Process
If a student has lost credit due to excessive absences and the parent or guardian feels there is an extenuating circumstance, he or she may appeal to the building administration. If they cannot remedy the situation, the parent or guardian can appeal the decision to the Board of Trustees.
In reviewing written documentation during the appeal hearing, the Board of Trustees will consider the following: (1) attendance for the preceding semester and/or year, (2) grade(s) earned in the class(es) where credit was lost and other grades, (3) made-up work completed, and student’s attitude toward school, and (4) extenuating circumstances. The Board decision and acceptance or rejection of extenuating circumstances is final.
Legal Reference: Art. IX, § 9, Idaho Constitution – Compulsory Attendance at School
I.C. § 33-202 School attendance compulsory
I.C. § 33-204 Exemption for Cause
I.C. § 33-205 Denial of School Attendance
I.C. § 33-207 Proceedings against parents or guardians
Policy History:
Adopted on: July 17, 2012
Revised on: January 9, 11-13-23