New Attendance Policy

In October 2010 the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved a revised student attendance policy.  The new policy will go into effect during the 2011-2012 school year.

The policy outlines requirements for students to earn class or course credits. Specifically students must be present at least 94 percent of the time—at least 167 days, or the equivalent of 60,120 minutes per school year. This means students can only be absent ten days each school year. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.

There are four types of absences assigned to students: non-exempted excused; exempted, excused; unexcused absences; and suspensions. Only exempted, excused absences are not counted against students when determining whether they meet attendance requirements.

These acceptable absences are typically those that are verified by a doctor or medical professional or absences related to a student who is celebrating a special holiday in observance of his or her faith. Students who participate in school-approved field trips or other instructional activities that necessitate being away from school will be considered present and will be given the opportunity to make up all missed work.  Additionally, for those students who work in artistic settings, the Child Performer Trust Act requires employers to provide tutors so that students may keep up with their school assignments.

Students who are in danger of failing due to excessive missed instructional time may be allowed to make up missed time in class sessions outside regular class time, and the make-up sessions must be completed before the end of the current semester.  However, not every school or local school district has such a program in place. Please check with your child’s school to determine whether this type of program exists.

Parents and legal guardians must be notified in writing of their child’s absence on or before a student’s third unexcused absence or tardy. After notification is sent, the school will must hold a conference with the student’s parent and/or legal guardian to discuss the absences and/or tardiness.

For other extenuating circumstances, the student’s parents or legal guardian must make a formal appeal in accordance with the due process procedures established by the local school district or independent charter school.
Further, Louisiana has a compulsory attendance law, which mandates children must attend school from the age of seven to the age 18, or until they graduate from high school.