Field C.C.S.D. Absenteeism and Truancy Policy
The Board of Education and staff of Field C.C.S.D. #3 see the importance of students being in school on time to start the day as well as attendance in school is critical in student achievement. A student who is tardy also impacts the rest of the students in his/her classroom because they miss the entry activity and disrupt the flow of the lesson being taught. Bus transportation is offered in our district boundaries which alleviates the student tardy issue. We strongly encourage our families to take advantage of bus transportation.
Attendance Procedures
Each morning, homeroom teachers take attendance in their classes using the TeacherEase system. Office staff then mark students excused absent or unexcused absent depending on if they have heard from the student’s guardian. The TeacherEase program then sends out an email to the guardian of students who have an unexcused absence stating that they need to check in with the school office. If the office does not hear from a guardian the absence is left as unexcused. Excused absences will include illness, mental or behavioral health, doctor visits, observance of a religious holiday, death in immediate family, a family emergency, or reasonable concern to the parent for mental, emotional, or physical health or safety of the student.
The district handbook states, “Students who arrive at school tardy (after 8:25) are to report directly to the office. Students are to be prompt in the attendance of all classes throughout the day. Students who are continually tardy will be considered truant and will be subject to notification to the County Truancy Office. If a student has an appointment and is going to come in late please call the office and let us know along with if they will be needing a school lunch. “
Chronic Absenteeism
The State of Illinois has updated their definition of Chronic Absenteeism. Chronically absent students are defined as:
“Absences that total 10% or more of school days of the most recent academic school year, including absences with and without valid cause.”
Absences (regardless of whether they are excused or unexcused) totaling up to 10% or more of a student’s school year may warrant additional support and interventions from Field C.C.S.D. #3 or Regional Office of Education # 13. Services will consist of parent conferences, student counseling, and information on community services. Students in grades kindergarten through fourth grade are referred to the Regular Attendance Program (RAP).
Student Truancy
“Chronic or habitual truant” is defined as a child who is subject to compulsory school attendance and who is absent without valid cause from such attendance for 5% or more of the regular attendance days.
It is not possible for our teachers to replicate the classroom learning experiences through make-up work. As such, our teachers are not able to provide all work ahead of time.
The Illinois Compulsory School Attendance Law (Article 26 of the Illinois School Code) holds parents responsible for the enrollment and regular school attendance of children between the ages of 6 and 17. Section 26-13 of the Code requires school districts to adopt absenteeism and truancy policies identifying appropriate supportive services and available resources for students who have chronic absenteeism (“truant”).
The district regularly monitors student tardies and absences and discusses with families the need for on-time practices for children as well as regular student attendance. We hope that by focusing on the benefits of being in school on time that our students benefit from all learning opportunities on school days.
The district handbook states “Students are required by law to attend school every day. Students who are absent or tardy more than 5% of the last 180 days will be subject to the following:
1. Students are required to supply a doctor’s excuse/an administrative excuse for absences after 5 days of absences. If doctor’s excuse / administrative excuse is not supplied, student absence will be unexcused. Students are allowed 5 mental health days a school year.
2. Students must make up any missed or incomplete school work.
3. Administration will provide notification to the County Truancy Office after 9 unexcused absences. Students who leave school or miss classes without permission will be subject to immediate suspension.
If going on a vacation please contact administration prior to so they can update you on the student's current grades and attendance.”
The Importance of School Attendance
A recent review of student attendance data shows that regular school attendance from kindergarten on is essential to successful learning:
Every day counts. Missing school even 10% of the time has a significant negative impact on reading and math achievement and growth as children progress through school. 10% of the time is two absences per month.
Students with good attendance performed better and grew more in math and reading.
Good attendance starts early. Research has demonstrated that the attendance habits established in the early grades have lasting effects on students throughout their education: children with high attendance in the early grades continue to have good attendance; and students with low attendance in the early grades are more likely to have low attendance—and lower academic performance—throughout their elementary and middle school years.