The purpose of this attendance policy is to provide a uniform method of attendance accounting throughout the system and to assist in ensuring accuracy.
A school year for instructional purposes shall consist of nine (9) attendance periods of twenty (20) days each of classroom instruction for a total of one hundred eighty (180) days.
Attendance accounting must be marked daily and shall begin with the first day of the scheduled one hundred eighty (180) days and shall continue each day throughout the school year. Standardized symbols shall be used by teachers in recording student attendance in class records.
The actual time that students are required to be in school shall be seven (7) hours.
A student in grades K-12 who is in attendance a major portion of the state required minimum school day (6 1/2 hours for grades 1-12; 4 hours for K) shall be counted as being in full-time equivalent average daily attendance for that day. A student who is in attendance less than the major portion of the state required minimum school day shall not be counted in attendance for any portion of that day.
For students in grades 9-12 determined to be in attendance, the FTEADA shall be calculated and reported on a prorated basis for general education (academic) and comprehensive vocational programs based upon the time the student spends in the respective program. For example, students may participate in 1, 2, or 3 hour vocational blocks and shall be counted as 1 hour = 1/6 FTEADA. 2 hours = 2/6 FTEADA, 3 hours = 3/6 FTEADA. The remaining portion of the day if in attendance shall be counted as general education (academic).
Off campus and/or out of school activities shall be counted as attendance only when school directed and with prior approval of the administration.
Make-Up Days
In order to protect the integrity of instructional time and legislative intent to have a minimum of 180 days of classroom instruction, the following priorities may be followed when making up days lost due to the closing of schools for emergency reasons:
Extend the school year.
Schedule classes on Saturdays.
Use time scheduled for spring break.
Increase the length of school day. (This option will be considered for approval on an individual basis only as a last resort and after options a, b, and c have been exercised.)
Attendance records shall be maintained at the local school level in accordance with state minimum standards and guidelines.