Middle School

ATTENDANCE INFORMATION

Research shows a direct relationship between regular school attendance and student learning outcomes (Gottfried, 2010; Lamdin, 1996; London, Sanchez & Castrechini, 2016; Roby, 2004). There is no substitute for a missed instructional opportunity due to chronic absence. Students can’t learn if they aren’t present.

The early years of elementary school are essential to develop literacy, numeracy and social skills (Applied Survey Research, 2011). According to Sparks (2011), "a student who can't read on grade level by 3rd grade is four times less likely to graduate by age 19 than a child who does read proficiently by that time." If poverty is added as a factor then the below grade level student is 13 times less likely to graduate on time than their proficient or wealthier peer (Sparks, 2011). Poor attendance during the elementary years widens skill gaps that may prove difficult to impossible to overcome through remedial efforts (Attendance Works, 2014). Research indicates that absenteeism in middle and high school can accurately predict high school dropout rates (Balfanz & Chang, 2016; Ginsburg, Jordan & Chang, 2014). 

Habits such as regular school attendance become lifelong habits that inform workforce readiness in later years. Regular school attendance is critical for our children's future economic well-being. Statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest a strong correlation between educational attainment, employment, and weekly earnings.

Missing School Adds Up Quickly

The impact of missing school is more than you might expect. Review the table below to see how quickly chronic absenteeism can negatively impact student learning.

Attendance during one school year	Equates to days absent	Which is approximately	Which means the number of lessons missed
94%	10	2 weeks	70
90%	17	3 weeks	119
85%	25	5 weeks	175
80%	34	7 weeks	238
75%	42	8 weeks	294
70%	51	10 weeks	357
65%	59	12 weeks	413

The Compulsory Attendance Law
Regular school attendance is compulsory by law (Sections 167.031). The law requires all children within the compulsory attendance age to regularly attend a public, private, parochial, parish, home school or a combination of such schools for the duration of the entire school term. The compulsory attendance age is between 7 and 17 years of age (JEA).  

State Requirement - The Missouri requirement for school attendance is for 90% of students to be in attendance 90% of the time. Continued absences of those under 17 years of age will be handled in accordance with the law. School administrators and teachers are expected to enforce the law (Section 167.11) and Board Policy (JEA, JEC-1, JED, JED-AP1, JED-AP2, JEDB) regarding attendance.  In line with this requirement, the District considers school attendance of at least 90% to constitute “regular attendance” for purposes of the Compulsory Attendance Law. An explanation of this requirement, and how parents will be notified of absences, is included below under the headings, “Attendance Requirements” and “Parent Communication.”

District Expectations - Once enrolled in the district, the district expects the student to attend regularly and for the student's parents/guardians or other adults having charge, control or custody of the student, to communicate regularly and honestly with the district regarding the student's absences. Holding students and their parents/guardians responsible for attendance is part of the district's larger mission to train students to be productive citizens and employees. In accordance with Policy JED, district administration has developed clear and reasonable attendance standards and will consistently enforce consequences for chronic absenteeism.

PreK-12 Student Attendance Goal - Every student sets a goal to miss no more than 5 days of school during the school year. Meeting that goal will support readiness for college, career, and success as a young adult.

Reporting to Local or State Authorities - The district will contact the Children's Division (CD) of the Department of Social Services or the Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney’s office in cases where the district has a reasonable suspicion that a student's lack of attendance constitutes educational neglect on the part of the parents/guardians or that parents/guardians are in violation of the compulsory attendance law. No such action will be taken unless other strategies and interventions have been implemented and proven ineffective.

Attendance Reporting Procedures
A comprehensive system of attendance records will be maintained for each student. Each teacher is responsible for the accurate reporting of daily attendance in the classroom. The building Principal is responsible for supplying information to parents in regard to student absences, and for submitting attendance information to the Superintendent’s Office.  

Daily Absence Reporting
Parents should notify the school each day a student is absent. Parents and school personnel should follow district, CDC, and health department guidelines if the illness is COVID-19 related. Parents/guardians and students should follow the same guidelines for return to school. 

If the parent, for some reason, fails to notify school, the school may contact the parent. Students who miss school and fail to provide verbal or written verification of the absence will be marked as “unverified.” All absences, except those for school-sponsored activities, will count against a student’s hours absent. The district encourages doctor and dental appointments to be made after school hours to avoid missing instruction. Students who leave school during the school day without prior parental consent and without checking out through the appropriate office will be considered truant. Students must have parental consent and check out of school through the office.

Make-Up Work Due to Absence
Students have one day to make up missed assignments for each day absent. Students are responsible to find out what class assignments or homework assignments they missed and then complete the work. When absences are anticipated, the student is to contact his/her teacher(s) to determine what assignments are to be completed during the absence. It is the student’s responsibility to check with his/her teacher(s) as to work missed during the absence and the procedure to follow. When absences are due to school business, students are responsible for contacting their teacher(s) as to work missed and procedures to follow in order to complete class assignments by expected due date. 

Attendance Requirements
As stated above, under § 167.031, RSMo., a parent, guardian, or other person who enrolls a child in public school are required to ensure that child attends school regularly. The District considers a student to have attended school regularly if they maintain an average 90% or higher attendance rate on a rolling basis, based on actual hours of attendance. Unexcused absences will not count within this attendance rate. Absences resulting in an attendance rate of less than 90% on a rolling basis will be referred to the appropriate authorities for review and appropriate action. Your student’s attendance rate will be calculated on a daily basis.

Additionally, the A+ Schools Program requirement is for students to attain 95% attendance. 
 

Attendance Codes

Absent Codes

ABT

Absent - Student is not present at school

OSS

Out of School Suspension - Student has be suspended from school

Present Codes

ACA

Academic Reassignment - Student has been contacted and provided instruction by school personnel

HOM

Homebound - Student is home but receiving district tutoring; 5 hours per week and documentation required

ISS

In School Suspension - Student is suspended but still receiving supervision at school

SCH

School Business - Student is under the supervision of a certified staff member in an educational setting comment required

TDY

Tardy - Student arrives late but within the 10 minute tardy window

Parent Communication

Regular communication will occur throughout the year to inform parents of their child’s attendance.  The teacher or office personnel will document the date of the communication and ascertain the reasons for absences.  Further, after school starts, the first time a student’s attendance percentage is below 90%, parents will be contacted by the school and will receive a letter from the Buchanan County Prosecutor’s office.  If this communication does not result in improved student attendance, parents will be required to meet with school officials and/or with the Buchanan County Prosecutor’s Office Diversionary Officer.  If the student's attendance still does not improve, the Buchanan County Prosecutor's Office will proceed to enforce compulsory attendance statutes. This may include participation in a Diversionary program and/or prosecution.

Parents and students can monitor the record of student attendance in each semester class through the PowerSchool Portal.  Progress reports with a record of attendance will be sent home each semester. Additional attendance updates may be mailed home if a student has an emerging pattern of absenteeism within a semester, as outlined in the above, “Parent Communication” section.

ATTENDANCE & ACTIVITIES ELIGIBILITY (Grades 6-12)
If a student misses class on the date of a contest, competition, or after school event without being excused by the principal, he/she shall be considered ineligible to participate or attend on that date. The attendance and eligibility guidelines below can also be found in the SJSD Athletic Handbook.
 

1. All students who represent the school in activities must attend school for the full day of classes in order to participate. A full day of attendance is defined as being in school prior to the end of the first class period of the day. If a student misses class without being excused by the principal, the student shall be considered ineligible on that date.
    

2. Students must be in regular attendance for the full day of the activity scheduled unless the activity is in another city and it is necessary that the student is absent for travel and participation, or, if the activity is scheduled on a date when school is not in session.
    

3. An absence will prevent the student from participating on the day of the absence and it will prevent the student from competing or participating until a full day of classes has been attended.

Finals Policy (Grades 9-12) - Attendance Incentive

Students will participate in finals at high school.  Teachers have the authority to determine the design of the semester assessment.  

Attendance Incentive Semester One: Any student with 97% attendance or greater and passing their courses on December 19, will be exempt from taking finals on December 20. (August 21 - December 19).

Attendance Incentive Semester Two: Any student with 97% attendance or greater and passing their courses on May 16 will be exempt from taking finals on May 19. (January 8 - May 16).  *Seniors - May 13

*There will be no appeals.