Attendance Plan
Chronic Absenteeism is defined as students who are absent 10 percent or more during the school year.
Precise Problem Statement
61 percent of the 96 students at Jordan Valley are not “On Track” based on student attendance data. 13 percent of students are absent 12 or more days per trimester and 21 percent of students are absent 6-11 days per trimester. This pattern is most common across all grades. We believe the problem is a result of challenges associated with students’ disabilities. A strategy for improvement is to identify individual students and determine the root cause in order to support students and families.
2021-2022 Attendance Goals
By May 2022, 65 percent of students will attend school at least 95 percent of the time, making them On Track for receiving their Certificate of Completion when they age out based on student attendance as an early warning sign.
School attendance is crucial to student’s making progress towards their IEP goals. There is a growing body of research showing that Chronic Absenteeism, usually defined by researchers as missing 10% or more of the school year (including excused and unexcused absences), has a significant negative effect on student achievement. Our goal at JVS is to increase attendance where 65% of our students are attending 95% of the school year (no more than 9 days absent).
School Success Goes Hand in Hand with Being in school Every Day!
- Students need repetition and routine
- Having too many absences can make a student feel disconnected
- Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves
What Can You Do?
Parents and students are jointly responsible for regular attendance at school. All absences are considered unexcused until the parent communicates with the school regarding the student’s absence, and the absence is resolved by the school staff. Parents must excuse each day of their student’s absence.
- Develop a regular bedtime & morning routine
- Avoid missing school unless a child is truly sick and seek help if chronic illness is a challenge.
- Symptoms to watch for that will warrant staying home include, but not limited to:
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Sore throat
- Persistent cough
- Symptoms to watch for that will warrant staying home include, but not limited to:
- When students miss school for any reason, they should access natural activities around the home where they can practice IEP goals. (ie. when helping set the table – count plates, cups, etc. identify colors around the house or while in the car, identify next steps in their routines, etc)
- A student’s IEP progress report may be impacted due to absences and the expected growth halted
- Teachers will be responsible for providing practice activities in Canvas or through messaging ideas to guardians.
Types of Absences:
- Excused Absence: an absence excused with approved verification (ie. doctor or dentist note, legal note, wedding announcement, obituary, or other approved verification).
- Guardian Excused Absence: An absence excused by a parent/legal guardian without approved verification. Parents must call the office or send a note within one week of the absence.
- Unexcused Absence: Any absence without a valid excuse
Communication Procedure for Valid Excused Absences:
Parents and students are jointly responsible for regular attendance at school. All absences are considered unexcused until the parent communicates with the school regarding the student’s absence, and the absence is resolved by the school staff. Parents must excuse each day of their student’s absence.
Scheduled Pre-Approved Leave includes: an illness, which may be either mental or physical, regardless of whether the school-age child or parent provides documentation from a medical professional; mental or behavior health of the school-age child; a family death; an approved school activity; an absence permitted by a school age minor’s individualized education program (IEP); or any other valid excuse approved by the local school board.
- Illness or Medical Appointment: Parent provides a note from a health care provider to the front office.
- Family Death, Family Emergency, Religious Holiday: Guardians provide notification to the school that the student will be absent (obituary, wedding announcement, etc…)
- Procedure for Education/Vacation Leave: A student may be allowed up to ten (10) days for education/vacation leave in a given school year, if prior arrangements have been made with the school for the student to access practice materials towards their IEP goals. Prior to education leave, guardians complete an Education Leave/Vacation Form for approval. Teachers will complete the “Work to Be Completed” section. School administration will verify education leave.
Communication of Absences to the School
# of Unexcused Days Absent | Notification |
3-5 | Guardian Phone Call or Email – Teacher will call guardian indicating student has missed 3-5 days of school and document date of communication on contact log. Teacher will inquire if the student is doing okay, express concern, and ask what the school can do to support the family. |
5-7 | Guardian Contact by Office – Office Staff will call the guardian explaining that the student has missed six days of school and reminding the guardian of the importance of regular school attendance. Office Staff will offer resources & supports & document the date of communication in Skyward. |
9-11 | Inquiry Letter 1 – Office Staff will send Letter 1 through regular mail and document date of communication in Skyward. Student is considered for interventions. |
12 | Inquiry Letter 2 – Second inquiry letter auto-generated, encouraging conference with school administrator. Administrator will identify a date, time, and location to meet with the guardian. Office Staff will send Inquiry Letter 2 through regular mail and document the date sent in Skyward. If guardians do attend the scheduled meeting, Admin will call and office staff will document in Skyward. IEP Case Manager refers student to School Psychologist to complete Functional Behavior Assessment of Absenteeism and Truancy (FBAAT) *Parent consent required* |
Plan of Action
Preventative Activity | Evaluation: How will implementation progress be measured? | Person Responsible |
Participate in Attendance Awareness: | attendanceworks.org share with staff and guardians through our school website | Brett Taylor |
Publicize the importance of attendance: | monthly newsletter and Facebook posts | Principal |
Make attendance data public: | At the SCC meeting following the end of each trimester. | SCC Chair |
Relational Strategies: | Teachers are the first contact with the principal being the second contact. Regular communication between school and parent in order to identify areas of support needed | Teacher Principal |
***Exceptions to the above plan will be individually reviewed according to student needs indicated on the IEP and possible parent input.***
CSD Attendance Plan Assurances
- SCC approves plan
- School plan is accessible on school website
- Teachers accurately record student attendance daily for students.
- School staff follow guidelines for absence reporting and coding, as established by the Department of Planning and Enrollment.
- Principal has submitted school attendance plan to their respective School Performance director for review and approval
