Regular school attendance is vitally important to a student’s academic achievement. For that reason and, in order to meet a requirement set by the state that school districts establish a definition of a “pattern of non-attendance,” changes to the District’s attendance policy were adopted by Broward’s School Board at its July 24th meeting.
A student will have a “pattern of non-attendance” if he or she is absent from school a total of 30 hours (5 days) in any one marking period or 60 hours (10 days) within 90 days. Unless acceptable documentation is available, unexcused absences, excused absences, along with tardiness and early sign-outs will be counted when determining a student’s pattern of non-attendance.
Eight reasons that will be accepted as excused absences were adopted by the Board; parents/guardians must send a note or call-in absences and tardies within 48 hours, or students will be marked as unexcused.
Acceptable reasons for an absence are listed below.
1. Student illness
2. Illness of an immediate family member
3. Death in the family
4. Religious holidays of the student’s faith
5. Required court appearance or subpoena by a law enforcement agency
6. Special events (conferences, state/national competitions, exceptional cases of family need)
7. Medical or dental appointments
8. Having a communicable disease or infestation
If a child has unexcused absences, excused absences without acceptable documentation, tardies or early sign-outs that add up to a “pattern of non-attendance,” and it is clear that the absences are a sign of early truant behavior, consequences may be imposed. Consequences may range, for an elementary age student, from having his or her report card withheld if they were in school for less than 25 days in a marking period, to the child’s parent being required to appear in court.
Middle and high school students who have a “pattern of non-attendance” may also face consequences. A student could be required to repeat a class; could be referred to Children In Need of Services (CINS) or Families In Need of Services (FINS); could have their driver’s license suspended or be prevented from obtaining a driver’s license; or the student’s parents could be required to appear in court.
It is important for parents receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) payments from the state to know that if their child has a pattern of non-attendance, payments may be suspended.
The School Board has also adopted other changes to the attendance policy, so it is very important for parents to carefully review and sign the copy of the Code of Student Conduct they will receive at the beginning of the school year. Information regarding attendance policy changes is also posted on the District’s Web site (www.browardschools.com). Additional information can be found on the School Social Work and Attendance Department’s Web site (
www.broward.k12.fl.us/studentsupport/school_social_work_services/contacts.html). Parents with questions about the policy changes should contact their home school or the School Social Work and Attendance Department, 754-321-2490.
