Purpose

The Board recognizes that attendance is an important factor in educational success, and supports a comprehensive approach to identify and address attendance issues.[1]

Authority 

Attendance shall be required of all students during the days and hours that school is in session, except that authorized district staff may excuse a student for temporary absences upon receipt of satisfactory evidence of mental, physical, or other urgent reasons that may reasonably cause the student's absence.[5][6][7][2][3][4]

The Board shall establish and enforce attendance requirements, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, Board policy and administrative regulations.

Definitions

Compulsory school age shall mean the period of a child's life from the time the child's parents/guardians elect to have the child enter school, and which shall be no later than six (6) years of age until the child reaches eighteen (18) years of age. The term does not include a child who holds a certificate of graduation from a regularly accredited, licensed, registered or approved high school.[9][8]

Habitually truant shall mean six (6) or more school days of unexcused absences during the current school year by a child subject to compulsory school attendance.[9]

Truant shall mean having incurred three (3) or more school days of unexcused absences during the current school year by a child subject to compulsory school attendance.[9]

Person in parental relation shall mean a:[9]

1. Custodial biological or adoptive parent.
    
2. Noncustodial biological or adoptive parent.
    
3. Guardian of the person of a child.
    
4. Person with whom a child lives and who is acting in a parental role of a child.

This definition shall not include any county agency or person acting as an agent of the county agency in the jurisdiction of a dependent child as defined by law.[10]

School-based or community-based attendance improvement program shall mean a program designed to improve school attendance by seeking to identify and address the underlying reasons for a child's absences. The term may include an educational assignment in an alternative education program, provided the program does not include a program for disruptive youth established pursuant to Article XIX-C of the Pennsylvania Public School Code.[9]

Delegation of Responsibility

The Superintendent or designee shall annually notify students, parents/guardians, staff and local children and youth agency about the district’s attendance policy by publishing such policy in student handbooks, newsletters, district website and other efficient communication methods.[1][11]

The Superintendent or designee, in coordination with the building principal, shall be responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this policy.

The Superintendent or designee shall develop administrative regulations for the attendance of students which:

1. Govern the maintenance of attendance records in accordance with law.[12][13]
    
2. Detail the process for submission of requests and excuses for student absences.
    
3. Detail the process for written notices, School Attendance Improvement Conferences, School Attendance Improvement Plans, and referrals to a school-based or community-based attendance improvement program, the local children and youth agency, or the appropriate judge.  
    
4. Ensure that students legally absent have an opportunity to make up work.

Guidelines

Compulsory School Attendance Requirements

All students of compulsory school age who reside in the district shall be subject to the compulsory school attendance requirements.[5]

Unlawful absences pertain to students who are bound by the provisions of the compulsory attendance laws of Pennsylvania. (Students between ages of six (6) and eighteen (18) inclusive).

Unexcused absences pertain to students who are below age six (6) and those who have reached the age of eighteen (18) and are not bound by the compulsory attendance laws of Pennsylvania but are bound by the School Board policies relating to attendance.

A student shall be considered in attendance if present at any place where school is in session by authority of the Board; the student is receiving approved tutorial instruction, or health or therapeutic services; the student is engaged in an approved and properly supervised independent study, work-study or career education program; or the student is receiving approved homebound instruction.[5][14][2][15][16][17][18][19][34]

The following students shall be excused from the requirements of attendance at district schools, upon request and with the required approval:

1. On certification by a physician or submission of other satisfactory evidence and on approval of the Department of Education, children who are unable to attend school or apply themselves to study for mental, physical or other reasons that preclude regular attendance.[6][7][20]
    
2. Students enrolled in nonpublic or private schools in which the subjects and activities prescribed by law are taught.[5][21]
    
3. Students attending college who are also enrolled part-time in district schools.[22]
    
4. Students attending a home education program or private tutoring in accordance with law.[5][25][23][24][17][26]
    
5. Students fifteen (15) years of age or sixteen (16) years of age whose enrollment in private trade or business schools has been approved.[5]
    
6. Students fifteen (15) years of age, and fourteen (14) years of age who have completed the highest elementary grade, engaged in farm work or private domestic service under duly issued permits.[7]
    
7. Students sixteen (16) years of age regularly employed during the school session and holding a lawfully issued employment certificate.[7][15]

Excused/Lawful Absence

For purposes of this policy, the following conditions or situations constitute reasonable cause for absence from school:

1. Illness, including if a student is dismissed by designated district staff during school hours for health-related reasons.[3][6]
    
2. Obtaining professional health care or therapy service rendered by a licensed practitioner of the healing arts in any state, commonwealth or territory.[6]
    
3. Quarantine.
    
4. Family emergency.
    
5. Recovery from accident.
    
6. Required court attendance.
    
7. Death in family.
    
8. Participation in a project sponsored by a statewide or countywide 4-H, FFA or combined 4-H and FFA group, upon prior written request.[1][6]
    
9. All absences occasioned by observance of the student's religion on a day approved by the Board as a religious holiday shall be excused, and no student so excused shall be deprived of an award or eligibility to compete for an award or the opportunity to make up a test given on the religious holiday.[27]
    
10. College or postsecondary institution visit, with prior approval.
     
11. Nonschool-sponsored educational tours or trips, if the following conditions are met:[6][28]
     
    1. The parent/guardian submits a written request for excusal prior to the absence.
        
    2. The student's participation has been approved by the Superintendent or designee.
        
    3. The adult directing and supervising the tour or trip is acceptable to the parents/guardians and the Superintendent.

   12.Other urgent reasons. Urgent reasons shall be strictly construed and do not permit irregular attendance.[3][6]

The district may limit the number and duration of nonschool-sponsored educational tours or trips and college or postsecondary institution visits for which excused absences may be granted to a student during the school year.

Education Tour or Trip (a trip taken by the student without the immediate family members in attendance - not school-sponsored)

Upon receipt of a written request from the parents/guardians of the student(s) involved, students may be excused from school attendance to participate in an educational tour or trip at parent/guardian expense. Parents/Guardians are required to notify the school at least three (3) days prior to the absences so that the student may obtain work to keep current with class progress.

The principal will receive and evaluate such requests for approval.

For the purpose of this policy, educational tour or trip shall meet these criteria:

1. There is a clear and sufficient reason why the tour or trip is scheduled over school days rather than at a time when school is not in session.
    
2. The tour or trip has, as its basic objective, a clear educational value rather than a vacation or pleasure trip.
    
3. The educational opportunities of this tour or trip are not available to the student at other times.

It will be the student's responsibility to see that all make-up work is obtained from teachers and completed.

Family Travel

Absences due to family travel where the student would either be left alone at home or where a non-family person would be needed to supervise and care for the student are addressed herein. The principal or designee may excuse a child where in his/her judgment such excusal is essential to the health and welfare of the child.

Guidelines for the implementation of the family travel absence procedures are as follows:

1. Parents/Guardians are required to notify the school at least three (3) days prior to the absences covered by this regulation so that the student may obtain work to keep current with class progress using Form CB 328 - Approved Absence Request.
    
2. Parents/Guardians and students should be informed that make-up work for the time missed is the responsibility of the student.
    
3. The principal may exercise approval for all such absences.
    
4. Absences for approved reasons due to family travel shall be limited to two (2) occurrences each year. Total number of approved days of absence shall not exceed five (5) days in a given school year. Days exceeding these guidelines may be considered unlawful and/or unexcused.
    
5. Students exceeding fifteen (15) consecutive days absence, per school year, for family travel will be withdrawn from the rolls. Students can be re-entered upon return.

Temporary Excusals -

The following students may be temporarily excused from the requirements of attendance at district schools:

1. Students receiving tutorial instruction in a field not offered in the district's curricula from a properly qualified tutor approved by the Superintendent, when the excusal does not interfere with the student's regular program of studies.[5][14][17]
    
2. Students participating in a religious instruction program, if the following conditions are met:[27][29]
    
   1. The parent/guardian submits a written request for excusal. The request shall identify and describe the instruction, and the dates and hours of instruction.
       
   2. The student shall not miss more than thirty-six (36) hours per school year in order to attend classes for religious instruction.
       
   3. Following each absence, the parent/guardian shall submit a statement attesting that the student attended the instruction, and the dates and hours of attendance. 
       
3. ​School age children unable to attend school upon recommendation of the school physician and a psychiatrist or school psychologist, or both, and with approval of the Secretary of Education.[20]

Parental Notice of Absence -

Absences shall be treated as unlawful until the district receives a written excuse explaining the absence. 

A maximum of ten (10) days of cumulative lawful absences verified by parental notification shall be permitted during a school year. All absences beyond ten (10) cumulative days shall require an excuse from a licensed practitioner of the healing arts.

Unexcused/Unlawful Absence

For purposes of this policy, absences which do not meet the criteria indicated above shall be considered an unexcused/unlawful absence. 

An out-of-school suspension may not be considered an unexcused absence.[9]

Parental Notification - 

District staff shall provide notice to the person in parental relation upon each incident of unexcused absence.

Enforcement of Compulsory Attendance Requirements

Student is Truant - 

When a student has been absent for three (3) days during the current school year without a lawful excuse, district staff shall provide notice to the person in parental relation who resides in the same household as the student within ten (10) school days of the student's third unexcused absence.[30]

The notice shall:[30]

1. Be in the mode and language of communication preferred by the person in parental relation;
    
2. Include a description of the consequences if the student becomes habitually truant; and
    
3. When transmitted to a person who is not the biological or adoptive parent, also be provided to the child's biological or adoptive parent, if the parent's mailing address is on file with the school and the parent is not precluded from receiving the information by court order.

The notice may include the offer of a School Attendance Improvement Conference.[30]

If the student incurs additional unexcused absences after issuance of the notice and a School Attendance Improvement Conference was not previously held, district staff shall offer a School Attendance Improvement Conference.[30]

School Attendance Improvement Conference -

District staff shall notify the person in parental relation in writing and by telephone of the date and time of the School Attendance Improvement Conference.[30]

The purpose of the School Attendance Improvement Conference is to examine the student's absences and reasons for the absences in an effort to improve attendance with or without additional services.[9]

The following individuals shall be invited to the School Attendance Improvement Conference:[9]

1. The student.
    
2. The student's person in parental relation.
    
3. Other individuals identified by the person in parental relation who may be a resource.
    
4. Appropriate school personnel.
    
5. Recommended service providers.

Neither the student nor the person in parental relation shall be required to participate, and the School Attendance Improvement Conference shall occur even if the person in parental relation declines to participate or fails to attend the scheduled conference.[30]

The outcome of the School Attendance Improvement Conference shall be documented in a written School Attendance Improvement Plan. The Plan shall be retained in the student's file. A copy of the Plan shall be provided to the person in parental relation, the student and appropriate district staff.[30]

The district may not take further legal action to address unexcused absences until after the date of the scheduled School Attendance Improvement Conference has passed.[30]

Student is Habitually Truant - 

When a student under fifteen (15) years of age is habitually truant, district staff:[31]

1. Shall refer the student to:
    
   1. ​A school-based or community-based attendance improvement program; or
       
   2. The local children and youth agency.
       
2. May file a citation in the office of the appropriate judge against the person in parental relation who resides in the same household as the student.[31]

When a student fifteen (15) years of age or older is habitually truant, district staff shall:[31]

1. Refer the student to a school-based or community-based attendance improvement program; or
    
2. File a citation in the office of the appropriate judge against the student or the person in parental relation who resides in the same household as the student.

District staff may refer a student who is fifteen (15) years of age or older to the local children and youth agency, if the student continues to incur additional unexcused absences after being referred to a school-based or community-based attendance improvement program, or if the student refuses to participate in such program.[31]

Regardless of age, when district staff refer a habitually truant student to the local children and youth agency or file a citation with the appropriate judge, district staff shall provide verification that the school held a School Attendance Improvement Conference.[31]

Filing a Citation -

A citation shall be filed in the office of the appropriate judge whose jurisdiction includes the school in which the student is or should be enrolled.[32]

Additional citations for subsequent violations of the compulsory school attendance requirements may only be filed against a student or person in parental relation in accordance with the specific provisions of the law.[32]

Special Needs and Accommodations

If a truant or habitually truant student may qualify as a student with a disability, and require special education services or accommodations, the Director of Special Education shall be notified and shall take action to address the student’s needs in accordance with applicable law, regulations and Board policy.[33][34][35][36]

For students with disabilities who are truant or habitually truant, the appropriate team shall be notified and shall address the student’s needs in accordance with applicable law, regulations and Board policy.[33][34][36]

Discipline

The district shall not expel or impose out-of-school suspension, disciplinary reassignment or transfer for truant behavior.[30]