Page 16 - Atlanta Public Schools Student Handbook

Attendance Information
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690.1, parents, guardians, or any other persons in control of students are responsible for ensuring their students’ attendance in school. Due to the negative impact of excessive tardiness and absenteeism on student performance, the Board expects local schools to implement programs aimed at improving student attendance and punctuality. A doctor’s note will also be accepted as an excused absence.
For further details, please refer to Policy JB.
In line with addressing truancy, chronic absenteeism, and enhancing school climate, Georgia state law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690.2) mandates that communities and schools collaborate through the recommendations of their local Student Attendance and School Climate committees.
Compulsory Attendance Law
Georgia’s compulsory education law, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690.1, requires children, ages 6 to 16 to attend school in some form (public school, private school, or home school) for 180 days or 900 hours of instruction each year. Children subject to compulsory attendance who during the school calendar year, have more than five days of unexcused absences are considered truant. Any parent/guardian or other person residing
in this state who has control or charge of a child or children and who violates Georgia Code O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690.1 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to
• Fine: not less than $25.00 and not greater than $100.00
• Imprisonment: not to exceed 30 days
• Community service
• Or any combination of such penalties at the discretion of the court
having jurisdiction
Georgia law requires school districts to notify parents/guardians when a student has accumulated five unexcused absences during the school calendar year.
Absences and Excuses
The provisions of the state board rule 160-5-1-.10 defines acceptable excuses for student absences. Below is an abbreviated list of acceptable excuses:
• Personal illness of the student and/or a situation in which attendance in school would endanger the health of the student or the health of others.
• Serious illness or death in the immediate family of the student that would reasonably necessitate absence from school.
• Special and recognized religious holidays observed by the faith of the student that necessitate absence from school.
• Mandates by the school or other governmental agencies such as pre-induction physical examination for service in the armed forces, a court order or out-of-school suspension.
• Conditions rendering school attendance impossible or hazardous to student health or safety.
• Voter registration or voting in a public election, not to exceed one {1) day per school year.
• Five (5) days or fewer per school year for a child of a military or National Guard parent who is called to duty in a combat zone or combat-supporting post or for a student whose parent is on leave from such an assignment.
Upon return to school from an absence, the student shall bring to the school a note, signed and dated by the parent/legal guardian, stating the reason for the absence(s) and the dates of the absence(s). A doctor’s note will also be accepted.
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All children enrolled in public school for 20 school days or more are subject to compulsory school attendance even if they are under six years of age (OCGA.§ 20-2-150). Please see the chart below for a quick view of the APS attendance protocol.
By September 1 of each school year
Parent/guardian signs an Acknowledgement Signature Page indicating receipt of notification
of penalties/consequences for failing to comply with compulsory attendance law
Three Unexcused Absences
An attendance support letter Is mailed to parent(s)/guardian(s) notifying them that their child
has at least three unexcused absences and explains attendance expectations.
Five Unexcused Absences
An attendance support letter is mailed to parent(s)/guardian(s) notifying them that their child
has at least five unexcused absences, reminding them of possible penalties/consequences of misdemeanor violation. and requesting parent/guardian participation in a Student Attendance Committee meeting to develop strategies mitigating future absences
Eight Unexcused Absences
The student may be referred to the school social worker. Once referred. the Intensity of strategies and interventions is increased; including a referral to community agencies, home visit, and parent/ guardian workshops/training.
Ten Unexcused Absences (Truancy)
The social worker may refer
the student to the Division of Family and Children Services
or Juvenile Court if parent(s)/ guardians (are noncompliant
with attendance interventions or attendance does not improve after the student has accumulated ten unexcused absences.