The Board of Education believes that regular attendance plays an important role in student achievement. The Board recognizes its responsibility under the law to ensure that students attend school regularly. Parents/guardians of children aged 6 to 18 are obligated to send their children to school unless otherwise provided by law. The Board shall abide by all state attendance laws and may use appropriate legal means to correct the problems of excessive absence or truancy.
(cf. 5112.1 - Exemptions from Attendance)
(cf. 5112.2 - Exclusions from Attendance)
(cf. 5113.1 - Truancy)
Excused Absences
Absence from school shall be excused only for health reasons, family emergencies and justifiable personal reasons, as permitted by law, Board policy and administration regulations. (Education Code 46010, 48216, 48205)
Inasmuch as class participation is an integral part of students' learning experiences, parents/guardians and students shall be encouraged to schedule medical appointments during nonschool hours.
(cf. 5146.6 - Parental Notifications)
Students shall not be absent from school without their parents/guardians' knowledge or consent except in cases of medical emergency or for confidential medical services.
Student absence for religious instruction or participation in religious exercises away from school property may be considered excused subject to law and administrative regulations. (Education Code 46014)
A student's grades may be affected by excessive unexcused absences in accordance with Board policy.
(cf. 5121 - Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)
(cf. 6154 - Homework/Makeup Work)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
1740 Employment of personnel to supervise attendance (county superintendent)
2550-2558.6 Computation of revenue limits
37201 School month
37223 Weekend classes
41601 Reports of average daily attendance
46000 Records (attendance)
46100-46119 Attendance in kindergarten and elementary schools
46140-46147 Attendance in junior high and high schools
48200-48208 Children ages 6-18 (compulsory full-time attendance)
48210-48216 Exclusions from attendance
48240-48246 Supervisors of attendance
48292 Filing complaint against parent
48320-48324 School attendance review boards
48340-48341 Improvement of student attendance
49067 Unexcused absences as cause of failing grade
ELECTIONS CODE
12302 Student participation on precinct boards
FAMILY CODE
VEHICLE CODE
13202.7 Driving privileges; minors; suspension or delay for habitual truancy
WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE
601-601.4 Habitually truant minors
11253.5 Compulsory school attendance
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
306 Explanation of absence
420-421 Record of verification of absence due to illness and other causes
ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS
66 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 245, 249 (1983)
COURT DECISIONS
American Academy of Pediatrics et al v. Lungren et al (1997) 16 Cal.4th 307
Management Resources:
CDE MANAGEMENT ADVISORIES
0114.98 School Attendance and CalWORKS, Management Bulletin 98-01
CSBA ADVISORIES
0520.97 Welfare Reform and Requirements for School Attendance
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
Policy PETALUMA CITY SCHOOLS
adopted: June 25, 2002 Petaluma, California