Untitled Document

High school student refusals to attend Saturday School to satisfy time-for-time requirements in order to receive credits led to an administrative review of the current attendance policy. The origin of time-for-time was implemented in the 2008 – 2009 school year to raise attendance rates. At that time, time-for-time requirements appeared to work well, raising attendance rates from 93.7% to 95.5% in the 2011 – 2012 school year. However, the number of students not receiving credits due to not satisfying the time-for-time requirements has rose sharply. Many of these students have passing grades.

High school principals are recommending making time-for-time obsolete due to the lack of participation from students and parents, while also making the system’s attendance policy consistent for all grades in an effort to combat high school dropout rates.

The proposed attendance policy makes all schools consistent by eliminating confusion from elementary school to high school policies, allowing students/parents the opportunity to receive tutoring for time missed after school or during in-school suspension after excused absences have been used. In addition, excused absences would no longer be punished; however, students will be expected to make arrangements with their teachers in a reasonable amount of time to receive grades for schoolwork missed.

Obion County Board of Education June 25, 2012	Agenda Item: VI.

Consider/Approve Amendment to Board Policy #6.200 – Attendance

Background Information: High school student refusals to attend Saturday School to satisfy time-for-time requirements in order to receive credits led to an administrative review of the current attendance policy. The origin of time-for-time was implemented in the 2008 – 2009 school year to raise attendance rates. At that time, time-for-time requirements appeared to work well, raising attendance rates from 93.7% to 95.5% in the 2011 – 2012 school year. However, the number of students not receiving credits due to not satisfying the time-for-time requirements has rose sharply. Many of these students have passing grades. High school principals are recommending making time-for-time obsolete due to the lack of participation from students and parents, while also making the system’s attendance policy consistent for all grades in an effort to combat high school dropout rates. The proposed attendance policy makes all schools consistent by eliminating confusion from elementary school to high school policies, allowing students/parents the opportunity to receive tutoring for time missed after school or during in-school suspension after excused absences have been used. In addition, excused absences would no longer be punished; however, students will be expected to make arrangements with their teachers in a reasonable amount of time to receive grades for schoolwork missed. Staff Recommendation: I recommend approval of the proposed attendance policy on second and final reading.