Attend to Win

Attendance is critically important for all students. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to meet important learning milestones, like reading proficiency, and more likely to graduate high school. Students who are behind in reading at the end of third grade are 4x more likely to drop out. Every day counts on your path to graduation! 

1. Regular attendance has a direct impact on outcomes for students, including sense of belonging, social development, reading proficiency, test scores, and graduation rates. 

2. Students who are chronically absent are more likely to suffer academically and socially and are more likely to drop out. 

3. High absence rates put an extreme burden on teachers.

4. Well-prepared students contribute to a thriving workforce.

5. When students graduate high school, they have more stable career choices and better economic prospects than their peers who dropped out, and they contribute to a flourishing local economy.

6. When students are in school, they are less likely to be involved in crime or risky behaviors, creating a safer and healthier Tulsa community.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of instructional time. For Tulsa Public Schools students, that means missing a little over 16 days of school each year, or about two days per month. Students who are chronically absent are considered at-risk of falling behind academically, because they simply are not in school enough of the time to master essential skills and critical learning.

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Schools mark students absent in PowerSchool according to why the student was absent or missed class.  Those codes include:

• A – Unexcused Absence - Unknown Reason
• T – Tardy / L - Left Early
• E – Excused 
• W – Unexcused Absent but Explained
• OSS – Out of School Suspension 
• I – In-House Suspension (TRAICE PROGRAM) 
• R – School Activity 
• D – Dean/Admin Office 
• C – Counselor Office 
• N – Nurse Office 

For state aid purposes, a student must be in attendance two of the first three hours of the school day to be recorded present for one-half day. Likewise, a student must be in attendance two of the final three hours to be recorded present for one-half day. (Reference: Oklahoma State Accreditation Standards)

Late arrivals and early dismissals are considered as an absence from school for promotion/retention purposes, revocation of transfer purposes, and referrals to the District Attorney for violation of (70 O.S. § 10-106). 

For state aid purposes, a student must be in attendance two of the first three hours of the school day to be recorded present for one-half day. Likewise, a student must be in attendance two of the final three hours to be recorded present for one-half day. (Reference: Oklahoma State Accreditation Standards)

It is critical for students to be in class all day, every day.  According to school board regulation 2204-R, “late arrivals and early dismissals are considered an absence from school for promotion/retention purposes, revocation of transfer purposes, and referrals to the District Attorney for violations.  Parents/guardians are requested to schedule appointments after the school day to avoid the need for a late arrival or early dismissal. If it becomes necessary for students to be excused from school for an elective medical appointment, or other unavoidable emergency, the parents/guardians must send a signed note to the school stating the reason and the planned time of arrival/departure.”  

All students must be signed out of the office by a parent/guardian in the office before leaving school.

No.

According to board regulation 2204-R, the following absences, with documentation, may be excused:  observance of  religious holidays, medical illness, and participation in a funeral, approved pre-arranged absences, death in the immediate family, family emergencies, late arrivals/ early dismissals due to medical appointments, Illness or injury.  Without documentation, these will be considered unexcused or explained (not excused) absences.  Parents must notify schools with a written or verbal explanation for the absence within 48 hours of the student’s return to school. Excused absences still count towards the chronic absenteeism calculator, but a documented excuse can help School Leaders make informed decisions on grade promotion, course credit, transfer revocations, and/or eligibility for extracurricular activities.

Include any circumstance not listed above, including any absence due to truancy. An absence explained but not excused is considered an unexcused absence.

Students must be exited after 10 consecutive, full-day unexcused absences per board policy.

Yes. According to board regulation 2204-R, prior to the end of each year, attendance records are reviewed and when a determination is made that a student’s excessive absenteeism (in excess of 10%) merits retention, parents will be notified in writing that their student will be retained.  Any parent/guardian may request an appeal a retention decision.  The appeal process is in board regulation 2204-R.

Yes!  According to school board policy 2204, Secondary students who miss more than 10% of class time are at risk of losing credit for the class.  Parents/guardians shall be notified, in writing, of any recommendation for failure to earn credit due to excessive absenteeism.  Any parent/guardian may request an appeal of failure to earn credit.  The appeal process is in board regulation 2204-R.

Yes. According to school board policy 2204, if you are on a transfer to another school, including magnet schools, your transfer may be revoked if you are chronically absent.

Provide a written or verbal explanation for the absence within 48 hours of your child’s return to school. If no explanation is received, the absence will be deemed unexcused.

Chronic absenteeism incorporates all absences: excused, unexcused and suspensions. The focus is on the academic consequences of this lost instructional time and on preventing absences before students miss so much school that they fall behind. A student is considered chronically absent if there are 15 or more absences or 10 percent of the school year.

Truancy is a term that generally refers to unexcused absences. Chronic absenteeism is a broader measure of missing school, while truancy focuses on students intentionally skipping school without permission. 

Students who live in communities with high levels of poverty are 4x more likely to be chronically absent than others, often for reasons beyond their control.

1. Regular attendance has a direct impact on outcomes for students, including sense of belonging, social development, reading proficiency, test scores, and graduation rates. 
2. Students who are chronically absent are more likely to suffer academically and socially and are more likely to drop out. 
3. Well-prepared graduates have more stable career choices and better economic prospects than their peers who dropped out, and they contribute to a flourishing local economy.
4. When students are in school, they are less likely to be involved in crime or risky behaviors, creating a safer and healthier Tulsa community.

1. Transportation
2. Physical and Mental Health
3. Safety
4. Housing Insecurity

Attendance Works Community Toolkit