Md. Code Regs. 13A.08.01.05

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 21, October 18, 2024

Section 13A.08.01.05 - Student Attendance Policy

Each local school system shall develop a student attendance policy which includes:

A. A general statement dealing with the local school system's purpose and rationale for promoting regular school attendance.

B. Rules, Definitions, and Procedures for Policy Implementation.

(1) Reasons for lawful and unlawful absences and tardiness include lawful/unlawful absence as defined in Regulations .03 and .04, of this chapter. Clarification of special situations for unlawful absence may also be identified.

(2) Standards for regular attendance include minimal requirements for student attendance in order to foster continuity of the instructional program. The standards for school attendance may identify a specific number of excessive or unlawful absences allowed within a marking period, semester, or school year.

(3) Procedure to verify absences/tardiness includes responsible persons, time limits, and methods of absent/tardy verification.

(4) Penalties for not meeting standards for regular attendance requirements include actions taken by school system staff when a student is unlawfully absent or accumulates an equivalent number of excessive or unlawful absences which exceeds the standard for regular school attendance. The penalties should be identified, and should reflect a continuum of excessive or unlawful absences.

(5) Make-up work requirements include classroom teacher and student responsibility, time limits, and grading policy for make-up work. Make-up work requirements may also involve a procedure for completing class work in advance of an absence wherever possible.

(6) Attendance-monitoring procedure includes:

(a) Record-keeping format to comply with State attendance reporting requirements;

(b) Intervention strategies and procedures for dealing with absenteeism at the beginning stages of the problem as well as chronic absenteeism; and

(c) A referral process to pupil services or other central office professionals for case management of chronic attendance cases.

(7) Reward process includes an identified motivational program to reward regular school attendance.

(8) Information dissemination includes methods for informing school staff, students, parents, and community members of attendance policy requirements.

(9) Appeals process includes specific due process procedures for appealing attendance violation decisions at the school and central office level.

(10) Legal foundation includes citations of legal authority for attendance policy development and implementation.

Md. Code Regs. 13A.08.01.05