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Attendance Expectations

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Attendance Expectations 

 

What is the law? 

  • Every child between the ages of 6 and 17 years old must attend school for at least: 

    • 1056 hours each school year if in secondary school. 
    • 968 hours each school year if in elementary school. (C.R.S. 22-33-104) 

 

What is School District 11’s policy regarding attendance? 

(School Board Policy JH) 

  • The Board of Education believes that parental involvement and parental responsibility are two of the most important factors in ensuring a child’s educational development. 

  • The Board further believes that it is the obligation of every parent to ensure that every child under their care and supervision receives adequate education and training. 

 

 

What kind of absences can be excused? 

  1. Temporary illness may be excused by a parent—3 days or less. More than 3 days requires documentation from a doctor. 

  1. A student absent for an extended period due to physical, mental, or emotional disability (including residential treatment centers) may be excused by a school administrator if documentation is provided by a doctor. 

  1. A student with a current age and school certificate or work permit may be excused by a school administrator if documentation is provided. 

  1. A student participating in a work-study program under the supervision of a public school may be excused by a school administrator if documentation is provided. 

  1. Absences related to school activities may be excused by the school supervisor. 

  1. Absences due to severe weather conditions may be excused by a parent. 

  1. A student in the custody of a court or law enforcement authorities will be excused by a school administrator or designee (e.g., Spring Creek, Zeb Pike, etc.). 

 

 

What is truancy? 

A truancy is any unexcused absence. 

 

 

When is absenteeism considered chronic? 

Chronic absenteeism occurs when a student misses 10% or more of any marking period, whether excused or unexcused. 
(For example: 4 days in a quarter.) 

 

 

When is truancy considered habitual? 

Truancy is considered habitual when a student misses 4 days in a 30-day span or 10 days in a school year. 

 

 

What are the possible consequences for being chronically absent? 

  • Requiring a doctor’s note for documentation of illness 

  • Being placed on an attendance plan or contract 

  • Going to attendance court 

  • Other consequences as determined by the school administrator 

 

 

What are the possible consequences for being habitually truant? 

  • Being placed on an attendance plan or contract 

  • Going to Teen Court 

  • Attending a truancy hearing in the Office of Student Discipline 

  • Going to attendance court 

  • Other consequences as determined by the school administrator