Attendance

South Carolina State Law (R 43-274)

A part of the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act, districts and schools are required to report to the South Carolina Department of Education the number of students who are chronically absent each year. According to the United States Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR), an absent student is one who misses 50% of the instructional day for any reason and regardless of whether the absence is excused or unexcused. In other words, students must attend class for at least half of the instructional day to be considered present for that day.

Using this new definition, the OCR requires states to report the number of students in each district and school who are absent at least 10% of the time during which they are enrolled in a particular school or district. More specifically, students who are enrolled in the same school for an entire academic year and miss 18 or more days (10 %) will be considered chronically absent. The total number of chronically absent students will be included on district and school report cards and reported to the OCR.

District Procedures

At the beginning of each month, schools will compile a list of students who are considered chronically absent (any student who is absent a minimum of 10% of his/her enrollment period in the current school year for any reason (e.g. illness, suspension, excused or unexcused) is considered chronically absent). Letters will be sent to the parent/guardian notifying them as to the status of the student and explaining the importance of regular school attendance. An administrator must schedule an attendance conference with the parent/guardian when the student has been identified as chronically absent.

Research shows that poor attendance can impact student performance. Students who miss too many days in kindergarten and first grade can have trouble mastering reading by the end of the third grade. Chronic absenteeism of middle and high school students is the leading warning indicator for predicting students who dropout.

South Carolina State Law (R 43-274)

A student ages 6 to 17 years of age meets the definition of truant when the student has three (3) consecutive unlawful/ unexcused absences or a total of five (5) unlawful/unexcused absences.

District Procedures

When a student is identified as truant (three (3) consecutive unlawful/unexcused absences or a total of five (5) unlawful/unexcused absences), an administrator will communicate with the student and parent/guardian to identify the reasons for the student’s absences. An attendance contract and intervention plan must be developed and signed to address and improve the student’s attendance in school.

South Carolina State Law (R 43-274)

A student ages 12 to 17 years of age meets the definition of a habitual truant when the student has reached the level of truant, fails to comply with the intervention plan developed by the school, student and parent/guardian, and accumulates two (2) or more additional unlawful/unexcused absences.

District Procedures

When a student is identified as habitual truant (fails to comply with the attendance contract and intervention plan and has accumulated two (2) or more additional unlawful/unexcused absences), the administrator must schedule an additional conference to address the continued attendance concerns. The school must also complete the Family Court Referral Packet for court action and send to the appropriate District Director.

South Carolina State Law (R 43-274)

A student ages 12 to 17 years of age meets the definition of chronic truant when the student has reached the level of habitual truant, has been through the intervention process, has been referred to family court, placed on an order to attend school, and continues to accumulate additional unlawful/unexcused absences.

District Procedures

If all reasonable alternatives have been exhausted and a student is identified as chronic truant (has been through the intervention process, has been referred to family court, placed on an order to attend school, and continues to accumulate additional unlawful/unexcused absences), the school must file a contempt of court petition with Family Court. The student will appear in court for violating the previously issued court order to attend school.

South Carolina State Law (R 43-274)

A student is dismissed early from school when he/she leaves the school premises prior to the end of the scheduled day.

The parent/guardian of a student who arrives at school late must bring the student into the school office to sign the student in and list the reason for the student being late to school.

The student must report to the school office to sign in or be signed in by parent/guardian and list the reason for the student being late to school.

If a student is dismissed early, the parent/guardian must come into the school office and sign the student out, listing the reason for the early dismissal. Please note that if a student is being signed out early, it must be done 30 minutes prior to the scheduled dismissal time.

If a student is dismissed early, the parent/guardian must come into the school office and sign the student out, listing the reason for the early dismissal or the parent may send a note allowing the student to be dismissed early.  The school will verify all notes received for early dismissal.  Please note that if a student is being signed out early, it must be done 30 minutes prior to the scheduled dismissal time.

The administration will determine if the lateness and/or early dismissal will be lawful/excused or unlawful/unexcused.

Yes, a written note (excuse) is required every time your child is absent from school. The written note (excuse) must be submitted to the school within three (3) days of the student returning to school.

Out of town trips, vacations, cruises, etc. are not acceptable reasons for lawful/excused absences. The days will be unlawful/unexcused and will count towards truancy.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) states that a school year consists of 180 days of instruction. Students who miss ten (10) or more days risk not receiving credit for classes. In the event of a serious medical issue/illness, please contact your child’s school to investigate the possibility for homebound instruction.

No. If your child misses the school bus and subsequently misses an entire day of school the day will count as an unlawful/unexcused absence.

Yes, the child’s absence will be lawful/excused for “bereavement” in the event of a death of an immediate family member. Upon the child’s return to school a written note (excuse) will be required.

No, if siblings are not sick and are absent from school, the absence would be unlawful / unexcused.

No, as long as it is submitted within three (3) days of your child’s return to school. Please make every effort to secure a medical excuse note whenever your child is seen by a doctor.

In the event that your child is battling a significant illness, prolonged hospital stay, surgery, etc. the student may qualify for medical homebound instruction.

Contact your child’s school to investigate the possibility.

Yes, school days missed because of school activities, trips or functions will be lawful/excused absences.

Students must attend school for 50% of the instructional day to be counted present. If your child was not in school for at least 50% of the instructional day, then the student is considered absent for the day.

• Attendance is a parent and student responsibility. Let your child know that you think attending school daily is important. Show them you are interested in their school activities and tell them that you want them to do well in school.
   
• Good attendance habits start at an early age. Make sure your child goes to school regularly and on time. This helps them develop a positive view of school and the importance of attendance and their education.
   
• Do not provide inappropriate excuses for your child to miss school. It is more difficult to break a bad habit of allowing a child to stay home from school “just this once” than it is to say “no” school is important.

• Give yourself and your child enough time to get ready each morning.
   
• Plan ahead the night before by getting needed items (bookbags, homework, etc.) together and placed where they can be retrieved easily in the morning.
   
• Get proper rest. Set a regular age appropriate bedtime schedule.

• Attend Back to School Night and PTA Meetings.
• Make education and your child’s success a family priority.
• Encourage your child to get more involved with their school. Studies show that the more involved a child and parent/legal guardian are with their school, the child will achieve better attendance and success.

• Provide written excuses to the school within three (3) days of the student’s return to school.
• Provide a medical excuse if it is available for the absence.
• If your child does not want to go to school, find out why and work with your school and child to address the concerns. Let your child know he/she must attend school.
• Ask teachers, guidance counselor, staff, etc. at your child’s school for advice on how to address any attendance issues for your child.
• Check your child’s bookbag regularly. Occasionally important letters (such as the medical excuse for last Thursday’s absence) can become lost in a full bookbag.
• Do not let your child persuade you into making an excuse for him/her. Don’t give up. Reward good behavior and take it one day at a time.