Hickman County Board of Education
Descriptor Term:
Descriptor Code:
Issued Date:
6.200
01/04/21
Attendance
Rescinds:
Issued:
6.200
12/02/19
1
Attendance is a key factor in student achievement and therefore, students are expected to be present
2
each day school is in session. The official school day for students begins at 8:00 a.m. and concludes at
3
3:00 p.m. unless so noted on the Board approved calendar.
1
4
The attendance supervisor shall oversee the entire attendance program which shall include:
5
1. All accounting and reporting procedures and their dissemination;
6
7
2. Alternative program options for students who severely fail to meet minimum attendance
8
requirements;
9
10
3. Ensuring that all school age children attend school;
11
12
4. Providing documentation of enrollment status upon request for students applying for new or
13
reinstatement of driver's permit or license; and
14
15
5. Notifying the Department of Safety whenever a student with a driver's permit or license
16
withdraws from school. 2
17
Student attendance records shall be given the same level of confidentiality as other student records.
18
Only authorized school officials with legitimate educational purposes may have access to student
19
information without the consent of the student or parent/guardian.³
20
Absences shall be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the principal/designee.
21
Excused absences shall include: 4
22
1. Personal illness;
23
24
2. Illness of immediate family member;
25
26
3. Death in the family;
27
28
4. Extreme weather conditions;
29
30
5. Religious observances; 5
31
32
6. Pregnancy;
33
Version Date: June 14, 2021
Attendance
6.200
1
7. School-endorsed activities;
2
3
8. Summons, subpoena, or court order; or
4
5
9. Circumstances which in the judgment of the principal create emergencies over which the
6
student has no control.
7
The principal shall be responsible for ensuring that: 6
8
1. Attendance is checked and reported daily for each class;
9
10
2. Daily absentee sheets contain sign in/sign out sheets and indicate students present or absent
11
for the majority of the day;
12
13
3. All student absences are verified;
14
15
4. Written excuses are submitted for absences and tardiness;
16
17
5. System-wide procedures for accounting and reporting are followed.
18
TRUANCY
19
General
20
Annually, the Director of Schools/designee will provide written notice to parent(s)/guardian(s) that
21
attendance at school is required. Students shall be present at least fifty percent (50%) of the scheduled
22
school day in order to be counted present. Students may attend part-time days, alternating days, or for a
23
specific amount of time as indicated in their Individualized Education Plan or 504 Plan and shall be
24
considered present for school attendance purposes. If a student is required to participate in a remedial
25
instruction program outside of the regular school day where there is no cost to the parent(s) and the
26
school system provides transportation, unexcused absences from these programs shall be reported in
27
the same manner.⁷
28
Students who are absent five (5) days without adequate excuse shall be reported to the director of
29
schools/designee who will, in turn, provide written notice to the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student's
30
absence. If a parent does not provide documentation within adequate time excusing those absences, or
31
request an attendance hearing, then the Director of Schools shall implement the progressive truancy
32
intervention plan described below prior to referral to juvenile court.
33
The director of schools/designee shall develop appropriate administrative procedures to implement this
34
policy.
35
Progressive Truancy Intervention Plan⁸
36
Prior to referral to juvenile court, the following progressive truancy intervention plan will be
37
implemented.
Page 2 of 6
Attendance
6.200
1
Students with three (3) unexcused absences shall be subject to the progressive truancy intervention
2
framework outlined below.
3
Tier I
4
Tier I of the progressive truancy plan shall apply to all students within the district and include
5
schoolwide prevention-oriented supports to assist with satisfactory attendance. These supports shall
6
include, but are not limited to,
7
1. A conference with the student and the student's parent/guardian;
8
9
2. An attendance contract, based on the conference, signed by the student, the parent/guardian,
10
and an attendance officer. The contract shall include:
11
12
a. A specific description of the school's attendance expectations for the student;
13
b. The period for which the contract is effective. The term of the contract must not exceed
14
ninety (90) school days or continue beyond the last day of the semester, whichever
15
comes first; and
16
c. Penalties for additional absences and alleged school offenses, including additional
17
disciplinary action and potential referral to juvenile court; and
18
19
3. Regularly scheduled follow-up meetings to discuss the student's progress.
20
If the student accumulates additional unexcused absences in violation of the attendance contract, in
21
Tier I, he/she shall be subject to Tier II.
22
Tier II
23
An individualized assessment by a school employee of the reasons a student has been absent from
24
school. This may result in referral to counseling, community-based services, or other services to
25
address the student's attendance problems.
26
Tier III
27
This tier shall be implemented if the truancy interventions under Tier II are unsuccessful.
28
Tier III interventions must include a review of the previous individualized assessment and an amended
29
attendance contract but may also result in further action including but not limited to a review of grades
30
and the discipline record, a referral to restorative justice programs, a referral to community-based
31
services, or a referral to the Department of Children's Services.
32
These interventions shall be determined by a team formed at each school. The interventions shall
33
address student needs in an age-appropriate manner. Finalized plans shall be approved by the Director
34
of Schools/designee.
35
36
Page 3 of 6
Attendance
6.200
1
NON-SCHOOL SPONSORED EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY⁹
2
A principal/designee may excuse a student to participate in non-school sponsored extracurricular
3
activities. The principal shall document the approval in writing and shall excuse no more than ten (10)
4
absences each school year. No later than seven (7) business days prior to the student's absence, the
5
student shall provide documentation to the school as proof of the student's participation along with a
6
written request for the excused absence from the student's parent/guardian. The request shall include
7
the following:
8
1. Student's name and personal identification number;
9
10
2. Student's grade;
11
12
3. The dates of the student's absence;
13
14
4. The reason for the student's absence; and
15
16
5. The signatures of the student and parent/guardian.
17
RELEASED TIME COURSE¹⁰
18
A principal/designee may excuse a student to attend a course in religious moral instruction for up to
19
one (1) class period per school day. Students shall not be excused during any class which requires an
20
examination for state or federal accountability purposes.
21
The student shall submit a written consent form signed by the student's parent/guardian prior to
22
participation in the released time course. The principal/designee shall document the approval in
23
writing. The student shall provide documentation to the principal/designee as proof of the student's
24
participation in the released time course.
25
The district shall not be responsible for transporting students to and from the place of instruction.
26
Upon submission of the student's transcript from the entity that provided the released time course, the
27
student may be awarded one-half (1/2) unit of elective credit.
28
The Director of Schools shall develop procedures with secular criteria for determining whether credit
29
shall be awarded.
30
MILITARY SERVICE OF PARENT/GUARDIAN
31
School principals shall provide students with a one-day excused absence prior to the deployment of
32
and a one-day excused absence upon the return of a parent or custodian serving active military service.
33
Principals shall also allow up to ten (10) excused cumulative absences per year for students to visit a
34
parent or guardian during a deployment cycle. The student shall provide documentation to the school
35
as proof of his/her parent's/guardian's deployment. Students shall be permitted to make up schoolwork
36
missed during the these absences. 11
Page 4 of 6
Attendance
6.200
1
2
MAKE-UP WORK
3
All missed class work or tests (whether from excused or unexcused absence) may be made up provided
4
the student makes the request immediately upon returning to school and provided instruction time is
5
not taken from other students.
6
A grade of incomplete will be received for any work missed until the work is completed. A student
7
may have up to three (3) days to make up work from a single absence and up to five (5) days to make
8
up work from an absence longer than a single day. It is the student's responsibility to make
9
arrangements for make-up work, and if not completed in the allotted time, a grade of zero (0) will be
10
recorded for the assignments.
11
For school-sponsored activities, the student will be required to make up all work missed and will
12
receive full credit for the assignment or upon completion of a test. The student will not be counted
13
absent for a school sponsored event (school planned, school-directed, and teacher supervised).
14
STATE-MANDATED TESTS/END OF COURSE EXAMS
15
Students who are absent the day of the scheduled End of Course Exams must present a signed doctor's
16
excuse or must have been given an excused release by the principal prior to testing to receive an
17
excused absence. Students who have excused absences will be allowed to take a make-up exam that
18
will count as 15% of their grade. Excused students will receive an incomplete in the course until they
19
have taken the End of Course Exam.
20
Students who have an unexcused absence shall receive a failing grade on the course exam which shall
21
be averaged into their final grade at 15%.
22
CREDIT/PROMOTION DENIAL
23
Credit/promotion denial determinations may include student attendance, however, student attendance
24
may not be the sole criterion. 12 However, if attendance is a factor, prior to credit/promotion denial, the
25
following shall occur:
26
27
1. Parents and students shall be advised if a student is in danger of credit/promotion denial due
28
to excessive absenteeism.
29
2. Procedures in due process are available to the student when credit or promotion is denied.
30
DRIVER'S LICENSE REVOCATION²
31
More than ten (10) consecutive or fifteen (15) reported unexcused absences by a student during any
32
semester renders a student ineligible to retain a driver's permit or license, or to obtain such if of age.
33
In order to qualify for reclaiming a driver's permit or license, the student must make a passing grade in
34
at least three (3) full unit subjects or their equivalency at the conclusion of a subsequent grading
35
period.
Page 5 of 6
Attendance
6.200
1
ATTENDANCE HEARING¹³
2
Students with excessive (more than 5) unexcused absences or those in danger of credit/promotion
3
denial shall have the opportunity to appeal to an attendance hearing committee appointed by the
4
principal. If the student chooses to appeal, the student or their parent/guardian shall be provided
5
written or actual notice of the appeal hearing and shall be given the opportunity to address the
6
committee. The committee will conduct a hearing to determine if any extenuating circumstances exist
7
or to determine if the student has met attendance requirements that will allow him/her to pass the
8
course or be promoted. Upon notification of the attendance committee decision, the principal shall
9
send written notification to the director of schools/designee and the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student
10
of any action taken regarding the excessive unexcused absences. The notification shall advise
11
parents/guardian(s) of their right to appeal such action within two (2) school days to the director of
12
schools/designee.
13
The appeal shall be heard no later than ten (10) school days after the request for appeal is received.
14
Within five (5) school days of the director of schools/designee rendering a decision, the student's
15
parent(s)/guardian(s) may request a hearing by the Board, and the Board shall review the record.
16
Following the review, the Board may affirm or overturn the decision of the director of
17
schools/designee. The action of the Board shall be final.
18
The director of schools/designee shall ensure that this policy is posted in each school building and
19
disseminated to all students, parents, teachers and administrative staff.
Legal References
Cross References
1.
TCA 49-6-3006
School Calendar 1.800
2.
TCA 49-6-3017(c)
Extracurricular Activities 4.300
3.
20 USCA § 1232g
Interscholastic Athletics 4.301
4.
TRR/MS 0520-01-02-.17(1)(c); State Board of
Field Trips/Excursions/Competitions 4.302
Education Policy 4.100
Reporting Student Progress 4.601
5.
TCA 49-6-2904(b)(5)
Promotion and Retention 4.603
6.
TCA 49-6-3007
Recognition of Religious Beliefs, Customs, & Holidays 4.803
7.
TCA 49-6-3021
Voluntary Pre-K Attendance 6.2011
8. TCA 49-6-3007; TCA 49-6-3009
Students in Foster Care 6.505
9.
TCA 49-6-3022
Student Records 6.600
10. TCA 49-2-130
11. TCA 49-6-3019
12. TCA 49-2-203(b)(7); TCA 49-6-3002(b)
13. TRR/MS 0520-01-02-.17(2)
Page 6 of 6

## Table 1

|  | Hickman County Board of | Education |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | Descriptor Term: | Descriptor Code: 6.200 | Issued Date: 01/04/21 |
|  | Attendance | Rescinds: 6.200 | Issued: 12/02/19 |

## Table 2

| 1 | 7. School-endorsed activities; |
| --- | --- |
| 2 3 | 8. Summons, subpoena, or court order; or |
| 4 5 6 | 9. Circumstances which in the judgment of the principal create emergencies over which the student has no control. |
| 7 | The principal shall be responsible for ensuring that: 6 |
| 8 9 | 1. Attendance is checked and reported daily for each class; |
| 10 11 | 2. Daily absentee sheets contain sign in/sign out sheets and indicate students present or absent for the majority of the day; |
| 12 13 | 3. All student absences are verified; |
| 14 15 | 4. Written excuses are submitted for absences and tardiness; |
| 16 17 | 5. System-wide procedures for accounting and reporting are followed. |
| 18 | TRUANCY |
| 19 | General |
| 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 | Annually, the Director of Schools/designee will provide written notice to parent(s)/guardian(s) that attendance at school is required. Students shall be present at least fifty percent (50%) of the scheduled school day in order to be counted present. Students may attend part-time days, alternating days, or for a specific amount of time as indicated in their Individualized Education Plan or 504 Plan and shall be considered present for school attendance purposes. If a student is required to participate in a remedial instruction program outside of the regular school day where there is no cost to the parent(s) and the school system provides transportation, unexcused absences from these programs shall be reported in the same manner.⁷ |
| 28 29 30 31 32 | Students who are absent five (5) days without adequate excuse shall be reported to the director of schools/designee who will, in turn, provide written notice to the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student's absence. If a parent does not provide documentation within adequate time excusing those absences, or request an attendance hearing, then the Director of Schools shall implement the progressive truancy intervention plan described below prior to referral to juvenile court. |
| 33 34 | The director of schools/designee shall develop appropriate administrative procedures to implement this policy. |
| 35 | Progressive Truancy Intervention Plan⁸ |
| 36 37 | Prior to referral to juvenile court, the following progressive truancy intervention plan will be implemented. |

## Table 3

| 4 5 | Tier I of the progressive truancy plan shall apply to all students within the district and include schoolwide prevention-oriented supports to assist with satisfactory attendance. These supports shall |
| --- | --- |
| 6 | include, but are not limited to, |
| 7 8 | 1. A conference with the student and the student's parent/guardian; |
| 9 | 2. An attendance contract, based on the conference, signed by the student, the parent/guardian, |
| 10 | and an attendance officer. The contract shall include: |
| 11 |  |
| 12 | a. A specific description of the school's attendance expectations for the student; |
| 13 | b. The period for which the contract is effective. The term of the contract must not exceed |
| 14 | ninety (90) school days or continue beyond the last day of the semester, whichever |
| 15 | comes first; and |
| 16 | c. Penalties for additional absences and alleged school offenses, including additional |
| 17 | disciplinary action and potential referral to juvenile court; and |
| 18 |  |
| 19 | 3. Regularly scheduled follow-up meetings to discuss the student's progress. |
| 20 | If the student accumulates additional unexcused absences in violation of the attendance contract, in |
| 21 | Tier I, he/she shall be subject to Tier II. |
| 22 | Tier II |
| 23 | An individualized assessment by a school employee of the reasons a student has been absent from |
| 24 | school. This may result in referral to counseling, community-based services, or other services to |
| 25 | address the student's attendance problems. |
| 26 | Tier III |
| 27 | This tier shall be implemented if the truancy interventions under Tier II are unsuccessful. |
| 28 | Tier III interventions must include a review of the previous individualized assessment and an amended |
| 29 | attendance contract but may also result in further action including but not limited to a review of grades |
| 30 | and the discipline record, a referral to restorative justice programs, a referral to community-based |
| 31 | services, or a referral to the Department of Children's Services. |
| 32 | These interventions shall be determined by a team formed at each school. The interventions shall |
| 33 | address student needs in an age-appropriate manner. Finalized plans shall be approved by the Director |
| 34 35 36 | of Schools/designee. |

## Table 4

| 2 | MAKE-UP WORK |
| --- | --- |
| 3 4 5 | All missed class work or tests (whether from excused or unexcused absence) may be made up provided the student makes the request immediately upon returning to school and provided instruction time is not taken from other students. |
| 6 7 8 9 10 | A grade of incomplete will be received for any work missed until the work is completed. A student may have up to three (3) days to make up work from a single absence and up to five (5) days to make up work from an absence longer than a single day. It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements for make-up work, and if not completed in the allotted time, a grade of zero (0) will be recorded for the assignments. |
| 11 12 13 | For school-sponsored activities, the student will be required to make up all work missed and will receive full credit for the assignment or upon completion of a test. The student will not be counted absent for a school sponsored event (school planned, school-directed, and teacher supervised). |
| 14 | STATE-MANDATED TESTS/END OF COURSE EXAMS |
| 15 16 17 18 19 | Students who are absent the day of the scheduled End of Course Exams must present a signed doctor's excuse or must have been given an excused release by the principal prior to testing to receive an excused absence. Students who have excused absences will be allowed to take a make-up exam that will count as 15% of their grade. Excused students will receive an incomplete in the course until they have taken the End of Course Exam. |
| 20 21 | Students who have an unexcused absence shall receive a failing grade on the course exam which shall be averaged into their final grade at 15%. |
| 22 | CREDIT/PROMOTION DENIAL |
| 23 24 25 | Credit/promotion denial determinations may include student attendance, however, student attendance may not be the sole criterion. 12 However, if attendance is a factor, prior to credit/promotion denial, the following shall occur: |
| 26 27 28 | 1. Parents and students shall be advised if a student is in danger of credit/promotion denial due to excessive absenteeism. |
| 29 | 2. Procedures in due process are available to the student when credit or promotion is denied. |
| 30 | DRIVER'S LICENSE REVOCATION² |
| 31 32 | More than ten (10) consecutive or fifteen (15) reported unexcused absences by a student during any semester renders a student ineligible to retain a driver's permit or license, or to obtain such if of age. |
| 33 34 35 | In order to qualify for reclaiming a driver's permit or license, the student must make a passing grade in at least three (3) full unit subjects or their equivalency at the conclusion of a subsequent grading period. |

## Table 5

| Legal References | Cross References |
| --- | --- |
| 1. TCA 49-6-3006 | School Calendar 1.800 |
| 2. TCA 49-6-3017(c) | Extracurricular Activities 4.300 |
| 3. 20 USCA § 1232g | Interscholastic Athletics 4.301 |
| 4. TRR/MS 0520-01-02-.17(1)(c); State Board of | Field Trips/Excursions/Competitions 4.302 |
| Education Policy 4.100 | Reporting Student Progress 4.601 |
| 5. TCA 49-6-2904(b)(5) | Promotion and Retention 4.603 |
| 6. TCA 49-6-3007 | Recognition of Religious Beliefs, Customs, & Holidays 4.803 |
| 7. TCA 49-6-3021 | Voluntary Pre-K Attendance 6.2011 |
| 8. TCA 49-6-3007; TCA 49-6-3009 | Students in Foster Care 6.505 |
| 9. TCA 49-6-3022 | Student Records 6.600 |
| 10. TCA 49-2-130 |  |
| 11. TCA 49-6-3019 |  |
| 12. TCA 49-2-203(b)(7); TCA 49-6-3002(b) |  |
| 13. TRR/MS 0520-01-02-.17(2) |  |