No. 204-AR-1 of 1 SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION ATTENDANCE STANDARDS Class attendance and participation in classroom activities are the basic underlying components of a student s academic work and are necessary for the accomplishment of curriculum objectives. Compulsory Attendance Requirements Compulsory school age refers to the period of a child s life from the time the child enters school, which may be no later than eight years of age, until the age of seventeen or graduation from high school, whichever occurs first. It is mandatory for all children of compulsory school age having a legal residence in Pennsylvania to attend and be present at school unless excused from attendance for an approved reason. The District shall excuse the following students from the requirements of attendance at the schools of this district: 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. 2. Students enrolled in nonpublic or private schools in which the subjects and activities prescribed by law are taught, except that such students and students attending college who are also enrolled part-time in the District schools shall be counted as being in part-time attendance in this district. 3. Students fifteen (15) or sixteen (16) years of age whose enrollment in private trade or business schools has been approved. 4. Students fifteen (15) years of age, and fourteen (14) years of age who have completed sixth grade, who are engaged in farm work or private domestic service under duly issued permits. 5. Students sixteen (16) years of age regularly employed during the school session and holding a lawfully issued employment certificate. Excused and/or Lawful Absences Teachers shall keep such records as are required for the proper enrollment and accounting of students in all classes and shall require an excuse in writing from his/her parent/guardian or official admission from the principal before admitting students to classes after absence or tardiness.
204-AR-1 of 1. ATTENDANCE STANDARDS- Pg. 2 The School District considers the following conditions to constitute reasonable cause for absence from school. A student should not receive a failing grade for any of the situations listed below so long as the student makes up all missed assignments. Assignments must be completed prior to the close of grades for students to be eligible to pass the report period. 1. Illness or injury that necessitates home recuperation which must be verified in writing by the parent/ guardian, school nurse or physician. 2. Weather emergency, impassable roads, school transportation related or quarantine. 3. Religious holidays. 4. Bereavement and/or to attend the funeral of a family member. 5. Hospitalization. 6. Principal-approved reasons for absence from school or class, i.e., field trips, activities, assemblies, service learning, counseling, mentoring, support groups, early dismissal, college/postsecondary visits, attendance at college/postsecondary courses, etc. 7. Involuntary exclusions from school or class such as suspension or as mandated by legal or medical professionals. Attendance need not always be within school facilities. A student will 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. All absences occasioned by observance of the student s religion on a day approved by the District as a religious holiday shall be excused. A penalty shall not be attached to an absence for a religious holiday. The District shall, upon written request of the parents/guardians, release from attendance a student participating in a religious instruction program acknowledged by the Board. Such instruction shall not require the child s absence from school for more than thirty-six (36) hours per school year, and its organizers must inform the District of the child s attendance record. The District will not provide transportation to religious instruction. A penalty shall not be attached to an absence for religious instruction. The District shall permit a student to be excused for participation in a project sponsored by a statewide or countywide 4-H, FFA or combined 4-H and FFA group upon written request prior to the event. The District will recognize other justifiable absences for part of the school day. These shall include medical or dental appointments, court appearances, family emergencies, or other urgent reasons.
204-AR-1 of 1. ATTENDANCE STANDARDS- Pg. 3 The District may excuse the following students 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 or designee, when the excusal does not interfere with the student s regular program of studies. 2. Homebound children unable to attend school on the recommendation of the school physician and the school psychologist or a psychiatrist and approval of the Secretary of Education. 3. Students enrolled in special schools conducted by the Pittsburgh-Mt. Oliver Intermediate Unit or the Department of Education. Educational Tours And Trips The District may excuse a student from school attendance to participate in an educational tour or trip not sponsored by the District if the following conditions are met: 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 or designee. The District may limit the number and duration of tours or trips for which excused absences may be granted to a student during the school term. Principals and teachers will continue to consider special, unusual and extenuating circumstances when applying these attendance standards, and grant exceptions when warranted. Administrative Guidelines The District administration shall: 1. Govern the keeping of attendance records in accordance with state statutes and regulations. 2. Distribute annually to staff, students, and parents/guardians Board policies and school rules and regulations governing student attendance, absences and excusals. 3. Impose on truant students appropriate incremental disciplinary measures for infractions of school rules, but no penalty may have an irredeemably negative effect on the student s record beyond that which naturally follows absence from classroom learning experiences. 4. Identify the habitual truant, investigate the causes of truant behavior, and consider modification of the student s educational program to meet particular needs and interests. 5. Ensure that students legally absent have an opportunity to make up work.
204-AR-1 of 1. ATTENDANCE STANDARDS- Pg. 4 6. Issue written notice to any parent/guardian who fails to comply with the compulsory attendance statute, within three (3) days of any proceeding brought under that statute. Such notice shall inform the parent/guardian of the date(s) the absence occurred, that the absence was unexcused and in violation of law, that the parent/guardian is being notified and informed of his/her liability under law for the absence of the student, and that further violation during the school term will be prosecuted without notice. Attendance-Related Procedures School Principals and Administrators shall be responsible for implementing these attendance standards and for developing any additional attendance referral procedures needed to implement compulsory attendance for their school. Classroom Teachers shall be responsible for maintaining accurate daily class attendance for all students and must report all unlawful or unexcused class absences to the School Principal or his/her designee. Homeroom Teachers shall be responsible for maintaining accurate school attendance records and immediately referring all Unexcused and/or Unlawful Absences to the School Principal or his/her designee. Homeroom teachers shall, in addition to the administrative referral required under this section, make every effort to contact a student s parent/guardian via telephone immediately after EACH ABSENCE and inform the parent/guardian that the student has been referred to the administration due to the Unexcused Absence. If contact is not made by telephone, then the Homeroom Teacher shall contact the parent via mail. Homeroom teachers shall collect and record all written excuses for student absences. Homeroom teachers shall only accept written excuses within THREE (3) days of the student s absence. Any excuse submitted beyond the THREE (3) days will not be accepted. All written excuses shall be maintained by the Homeroom Teacher. Excuses for absences exceeding TEN (10) cumulative school days must be from a licensed treating physician or be approved by the School Principal or his/her designee. Legal Notices shall be sent to parents/guardians of all students of compulsory school age (under age seventeen) in substantially the same format provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and available via its website. A parent/guardian shall receive legal notice after each instance of Unlawful and Unexcused Absence. The legal notice shall be issued after the First Unlawful Absence and should include the legal penalties established by law for violation of compulsory attendance laws and the name and contact for the school contact person. The legal notice issued after the Second Unlawful Absence shall contain the same information. The legal notice issued after the Third Unlawful Absence should contain the same information and additionally shall provide that if the parent/guardian violates the compulsory school law again after three (3) days have expired from the date of the 3rd notice, the parent will be liable without further notice. The school shall schedule a parent/guardian meeting after the 3rd Unlawful Absence to create a Truancy Elimination Plan (TEP). Any subsequent Unlawful Absence will result in official notice being sent via regular and certified mail return receipt requested to the parent/guardian that they are in violation of the TEP or if a TEP has not yet been created, the compulsory school law and that a citation has been filed with the local magistrate.
204-AR-1 of 1. ATTENDANCE STANDARDS- Pg. 5 Notice shall be sent to parents/guardians of all students who are seventeen years of age and older and no longer of compulsory school age after each Unexcused Absence. All notices sent to parents/guardians of students 17 and older are informational and do not constitute a legal notice. However, students 17 and older are subject to school district action as follows: After the third notice of Unexcused Absence, the school shall develop a Truancy Elimination Plan (TEP). If the student continues to accrue Unexcused Absences in violation of this policy and his/her TEP, and the student and his/her parents wish the student to remain enrolled in school, then the District may consider transferring the student to the Standard Evening High School or other appropriate alternative education program. Students thus transferred to the standard evening high school are to be considered as enrolled in an extension of the day high school, and may be transferred back to the regular day high school if their attendance and achievement are satisfactory at the standard evening high school for one (1) semester. Students who are seventeen years of age and older and are absent for ten (10) consecutive school days, shall thereafter be removed from the active membership roll unless the District is provided with evidence that the absence is legally excused. Exceptional Students are subject to compulsory school laws, but each exceptional student s individual circumstances will be reviewed by the appropriate Program for Exceptional Students personnel prior to filing a citation with the local magistrate. An exceptional student will not be removed from the rolls or transferred to an alternative placement based on attendance. Responses to Violations of Attendance Standards Parental Notification: Parents/guardians shall receive written notification after each instance of Unexcused and/or Unlawful Absence. The Official notice of filing of a truancy citation with the local magistrate shall be sent via regular and certified mail return receipt requested in accordance with this policy. (See Legal Notices and Notices above) Parent Conference: Following the third (3rd) Unexcused and/or Unlawful Absence, the school shall schedule a conference with the student s parent/guardian. The School Principal or his/her designee shall develop a Truancy Elimination Plan (TEP) with the parent/guardian and the student. Transfer or Disenrollment (Students age 17 or older): After agreeing to a TEP, or if there is not agreement on a Truancy Elimination Plan and three (3) days have passed since the parent/guardian received the official notice of the student s third Unexcused Absence, if the student is absent again for any Unexcused Absence during the remainder of the school year, the student may be transferred to an alternative placement. If a student has ten (10) consecutive Unexcused Absences, s/he may be permanently removed from the active rolls of attendance. Referral to the Local Magistrate (Students under age 17): After agreeing to a TEP, or if there is not agreement on a Truancy Elimination Plan and three (3) days have passed since the parent/guardian received the official notice of the student s third Unlawful Absence, if a student is unlawfully absent at any point within the school year, an official notice of unlawful absence shall be sent home via certified mail return receipt requested. The purpose of the notice is to inform the student s parent/guardian that the student has violated the TEP or, if there is no TEP that the child has again violated the compulsory attendance requirements, and to advise the parent/guardian that a citation has been filed with the local magistrate. All future incidents of Unexcused Absences will immediately be referred to the local magistrate. The local magistrate shall be provided with a copy of the student s TEP when referred for a hearing.
204-AR-1 of 1. ATTENDANCE STANDARDS- Pg. 6 Referral to County Children and Youth Agency (Students under age 13): Any student who has not attained age 13 who fails to comply with compulsory attendance and is habitually truant, shall be referred to Children, Youth and Families (CYF) for services. The referral may be in addition to filing a citation with the local magistrate. The School Principal may refer a student 13 years of age or older to CYF in lieu of filing a citation with the local magistrate. Penalties for Violations of the Compulsory School Law Possible Sentences for Parents: Fine of up to $300 for each offense and court costs Completion of a parenting education program In cases where a party convicted fails to pay the fine or complete the parenting education program, a subsequent sentencing of up to five (5) days in the county jail Completing, in lieu of, or in addition to the previous penalties, community service within the school district for a period up to six (6) months Possible Sentences for Students: Fine of up to $300 for each offense Assignment to an adjudication alternative program Adjudication of Dependency by Juvenile Court Referral to CYF for services or disposition as a dependent child Suspension of driving privileges or ineligibility to apply for a driver s license for 90 days for the first offense and 6 months for the second offense For a nonexceptional student who is seventeen (17) years of age or older and who is no longer covered by the Compulsory Attendance Act, all applicable steps given above are to be followed if the student does not attend school regularly. If after these steps are taken, the student s school attendance does not improve and the student and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) insist that the student wishes to remain in school, a transfer to the standard evening high school or other appropriate alternative may be considered by all parties. The school, at the start of each school year, shall notify all parents/guardians of these attendance standards for students. Make Up of Legal Absences and Procedures For Issuing Grades When students are absent from school for legal reasons, a written explanation of the absence must be provided to the homeroom teacher within three (3) days of the student s absence. Any excuse submitted beyond three (3) days will not be accepted. This must be signed by the parent/guardian or supported by the appropriate medical or legal personnel. Excuses for absences exceeding ten (10) cumulative school days must be from a licensed treating physician or be approved by the school principal or his/her designee. Teachers will provide students with make-up classroom assignments. When students complete and return make-up assignments, it will be included along with other student work to determine
204-AR-1 of 1. ATTENDANCE STANDARDS- Pg. 7 the student s report period grade. However, classroom participation is an important part of a student s report period grade and will be included in calculating the grade. When students are assigned to a temporary alternative placement, the grades earned or assignments completed by the student shall be included along with other student work to determine the student s report period grade. If students are in regular attendance at any approved alternative program, they should not be marked illegally absent from school or class. If students are participating in school-approved activities such as field trips, service learning, assemblies, support groups, counseling, mentoring, tutoring, etc., they should not be marked illegally absent from school or class. In these instances, students must be permitted to make up missed assignments or exams, which will be included in calculating the student s report period grade. Tardiness that results in a student missing a class or subject period will be considered an illegal absence when calculating grades. A student who has received a failing grade(s) for one or more report period(s) due to failure to meet the attendance standard and whose absences are legally excused, shall be entitled to receive the yearly or semester final grade for the course which the student otherwise would have received had it not been for the failing report period(s) grade(s), provided that the following requirements are met: 1. The student has completed all course requirements and assignments. 2. The student, at the direction of the teacher, has made up any missed course work, class periods and/or testing within a reasonable period of time. 3. The student passes the final yearly or semester examination, if any. 4. The student s final grade would have been a passing grade, if it had not been for the failing report period(s) grade(s) due to the student s failure to meet the attendance standard. 5. The student has provided appropriate documentation to verify the reason for the absences, i.e., notes from dentists, doctors, courts, etc. Notice of Absences from Prior School Year During the first month of each new school year, the school administrator or designee must identify those students who during the last school year had illegal absences of ten (10) days or more. The parents/guardians of such students are to be contacted by letter. A form letter for this purpose is available.