STUDENT ATTENDANCE
TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEPN Code: JE
Purpose: To specify the Board’s intention regarding student attendance expectations and to clarify the impact absenteeism may have upon a student’s potential for promotion and/or earning passing grades.
Recording Attendance
Official attendance shall be reported and recorded in “half-day”
increments. Students shall be in attendance for at least two (2) hours to
be counted as “present” for one-half day. Students arriving late and/or
departing early shall have their attendance record accurately reflect the
portion of the school day they were reported as “present.”
Kindergarten and early childhood students attending half-day programs shall be counted “present” for the whole day if they attend for two and one-half (2½) or more hours of any scheduled daily session.
Elementary Student Absences
Students attending elementary schools (or enrolled in grades typically
defined as elementary grades) shall be in attendance a minimum of ninety
percent (90%) of the instructional time scheduled for that school (or
grade) and make satisfactory academic progress in order to be
unconditionally recommended for promotion to the next grade. All absences
(excused and unexcused) shall be included in the calculation of the 90%
attendance minimum except that excused absences for religious holidays
shall not be counted for the purpose of determining a student’s
eligibility for promotion.
All absences must have a written or verbal explanation provided by the parent/guardian within 48 hours of the student’s return to school. An absence for which no acceptable explanation is received shall be deemed unexcused.
Principals shall review all students’ attendance records reflecting absenteeism in excess of 10% of the scheduled instructional time and shall make a determination, after such review, regarding a recommendation for retention based thereon.
Parents/guardians shall be notified, in writing, of any recommendation
for retention (non-promotion) due to excessive absenteeism (absences
exceeding 10% of the scheduled instructional time). Retention actions due
to excessive absenteeism may be appealed by the parent/guardian.
Secondary Student Absences
Students attending secondary schools (or enrolled in grades typically
defined as middle or high school grades) shall be in attendance a minimum
of ninety percent (90%) of the instructional time scheduled for any
particular class/course in that school (or grade) and make satisfactory
academic progress in order to be unconditionally recommended for a passing
grade. All absences (excused and unexcused) shall be included in the
calculation of the 90% attendance minimum except that excused absences for
religious holidays shall not be counted for the purpose of determining a
student’s eligibility for promotion or credit.
All absences must have a written or verbal explanation provided by the parent/guardian within 48 hours of the student’s return to school. An absence for which no acceptable explanation is received shall be deemed unexcused.
Principals shall review all students’ attendance records reflecting absenteeism in excess of 10% of the scheduled instructional time and shall make a determination, after such review, regarding a recommendation for a failing grade based thereon.
Parents/guardians shall be notified, in writing, of any recommendation for a failing grade due to excessive absenteeism (absences exceeding 10% of the scheduled instructional time). Actions leading to failing grades due to excessive absenteeism may be appealed by the parent/guardian.
Attendance Incentive and Awards Program
In an effort to promote and reward regular attendance, each school will
establish an incentive awards program. Some activities for such are:
- Conduct school-wide orientation assemblies at the beginning of the school year to review the attendance policy and promote the idea that good attendance is essential if students are to gain the maximum benefit of the educational program.
- Develop school-wide incentive programs to improve attendance.
- Develop and utilize positive rewards for students with exceptional attendance records during any one grading period and/or for the school year.
- Send quarterly commendation letters to students and parents for improved attendance.
- Issue certificates for good attendance.
Adopted: November 1982
Revised: August 2004
Cross Reference: JE-R Student Attendance
JHB-R Truancy
JHC - Student Absences Due to Activities JE Page 2 of 2
