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GPP-6204
2. Habitual Truant: A “habitual truant” is a child, ages 12
-17,
who fails to comply with the intervention plan developed by
the school, the child, and the parent(s) or guardian(s) and who
accumulates two or more additional unlawful absences. This
child may need court intervention and an initial truancy
petition may be filed. The written intervention plan and
documentation of noncompliance must be attached to the
truancy petition asking for court intervention.
3. Chronic Truant: A “chronic truant” is a child 12
-17 years
who has been through the school intervention process, has
reached the level of a “habitual” truant, has been referred to
Family Court and placed on an order to attend school, and
continues to accumulate unlawful absences. Should other
community alternatives and referrals fail to remedy the
attendance problem, the “chronic” truant may be referred to
the Family Court for violation of a previous court order. All
school intervention plans existing to this point for this child
and family must accompany the Contempt of Court petition as
well as the written recommendation for the school to the court
on action the court should take.
Requirements for Attendance
Students are expected to attend school regularly. Requirements for
attendance are 42/45 days in a 9-week course, 85/90 days in an 18-
week (one semester) course. Students in diploma, RATE, or certificate
programs must all meet these same requirements.
Students must be in
class at least one hour to receive credit for the class.
Maximum Allowed Absences
The SC legislature mandates that credit for courses be denied if
students’ absences exceed the following limits (3or 5,):
More than 3 (Type II & Type III) absences in nine-week
courses
More than 5 (Type II & Type III) absences in 18-week or one
semester courses
Returning From an Absence
On the day students return to school, they must present their first period
teachers with documentation for Type I absences and signed parent
notes (written on District Five absence forms located in the back of the
handbook and on the BHS web page) for Type II absences.
