Okla. Admin. Code § 210:10-13-25
Current through Vol. 41, No. 19, June 17, 2024
Section 210:10-13-25 - Determination of the chronic absenteeism indicator(a)Purpose of the chronic absenteeism indicator. Because chronic absenteeism has been linked to lower academic performance, higher dropout rates, and diminished success after high school, Oklahoma has included chronic absenteeism as an indicator in the school accountability system adopted under the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). By highlighting the importance of regular school attendance to student success in school and beyond, the State of Oklahoma encourages schools to actively engage with students and their families in eliminating barriers to regular attendance, and to ensure students receive the supports needed to attend school every day. (b)Authorization of policy establishing a medical exemption from chronic absenteeism. A public school district or charter school may establish a policy providing that student absences which are due to a significant medical condition (a severe, chronic, or life-threatening physical or mental illness, injury, or trauma) may be exempted from inclusion in the calculation of the chronic absenteeism indicator of the applicable student's school site upon determination of eligibility by a medical exemption review committee formed by the district or charter school. A chronic absenteeism medical exemption policy adopted by a public school district or charter school shall be developed in accordance with the guidelines in this Section. (c)Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this Section, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (1)"Chronic absenteeism" means absence from school at least ten percent (10%) of the time that school is in session and the student is included in membership, eighteen (18) or more days on a 180 day school calendar or ten percent (10%) or more of school days on a 1,080 hours school calendar. (2)"Significant medical condition" means, for the purposes of this Section, a severe, chronic, or life-threatening physical or mental illness, infection, injury, disease, or emotional trauma. (d)Not all excused absences qualify for medical exemption. Certain student absences are classified as "excused" under state law and/or school policies, meaning that a student is considered absent for a valid reason under law or policy and the absence may not be associated with any penalties to the student. Examples include medically documented absences, which are considered excused under 70 O.S. § 10-105(B), and absences related to the military deployment activities of a student's parent or guardian, which are excused under 70 O.S. § 510.1(V)(E). If a student is absent in relation to their own or their household's homeless status, such related absences should be excused pursuant to the federal McKinney-Vento Act so the related absences do not serve as a barrier to enrollment or retention. These and other types of absences considered under law or policy as a valid basis to be absent from school should be indicated as "excused" in a school's student information system. However, the classification of an absence as "excused" such that no penalties accrue to a student in relation to the absence does not automatically qualify the absence for a medical exemption for purposes of the chronic absenteeism indicator. In order to be eligible for consideration under a chronic absenteeism medical exemption policy, an absence must fall under the definition of "significant medical condition" given in this Section. (e)Absences from school that do not accrue toward chronic absentee status. A student with disabilities who is on an Individualized Education Program (IEP), or a student with a physical or mental impairment who is on a Section 504 Plan, is considered in attendance and does not accrue absences while receiving offsite services outlined in the IEP or Section 504 plan. A student on an IEP or Section 504 Plan whose condition worsens or who requires more frequent treatments should have their IEP or Section 504 Plan updated accordingly. A student who is receiving homebound education services from their school district is considered in attendance and does not accrue absences while in homebound status. (f)Effect of exempt absence. If a student has been determined to have a significant medical condition under the district or charter school's medical exemption policy, only absences that are related to the student's identified condition(s) or qualifying circumstances may be exempted from inclusion in the calculation of the chronic absenteeism indicator. Absences that are not related to the student's qualifying condition(s) or circumstances, such as routine illnesses or medical appointments, are not eligible for exemption under a school district's medical exemption policy. The exempt absence(s) of a student who has been granted an exemption of one or more absences from school in accordance with the provisions of this Section shall not be included in the calculation of the chronic absenteeism indicator on the school site report card.
(g)Reporting absences determined medically exempt to the State Department of Education. A school district or charter school that has adopted a chronic absenteeism medical exemption policy in accordance with this Section, and has determined under the policy that one or more student absences are medically exempt from inclusion in the chronic absenteeism indicator, shall report such absences determined medically exempt to the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) Office of Accountability. To ensure that an absence which has been determined eligible for a medical exemption by a school district's medical exemption review committee is identified as exempt in sufficient time for the absence to be excluded from the chronic absenteeism calculation, the Office of Accountability may set an annual deadline for the reporting of such medically exempt absences. The reporting of absences identified under a district's policy as medically exempt may require the submission of the district's chronic absenteeism medical exemption policy and documentation of the medical exemption review committee's approval of the exempted absences. All documentation considered during the medical exemption review committee's consideration of potentially eligible absences shall be maintained by the school district or charter school and shall be available to regional accreditation officers for auditing purposes. (h)Effect of public health emergencies or other declared emergencies. In the event of an emergency declared by a federal or state government entity that impacts the operation of public schools in Oklahoma, or upon an action taken by the State Board of Education declaring such an emergency, the Oklahoma school accountability system shall make any appropriate accommodations authorized under federal law to mitigate the effects of the emergency on school accountability determinations for the affected school year(s). Student absences related to a state of emergency shall not be included in the calculation of the chronic absenteeism indicator. If there is any period of time during a state of emergency when public school operations are suspended, interrupted, or otherwise affected by the emergency conditions, the affected dates shall be excluded from the calculation of the chronic absenteeism indicator. Okla. Admin. Code § 210:10-13-25
Adopted by Oklahoma Register, Volume 37, Issue 18, June 1, 2020, eff. 4/2/2020Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 38, Issue 23, August 16, 2021, eff. 8/26/2021