Attendance

Link to Attendance School Numbers
SDIRC Attendance Procedures

The District must be consistent in its handling of attendance issues as well as abide by the law the enforcement of school attendance. The following procedure is pursuant to F.S. 1003.26 (Enforcement of School Attendance) as well as the SDIRC Attendance Policy-Section 5200.

Teacher’s Responsibilities:

• Following three unexcused absences (does not need to be consecutive), the teacher is required to contact the parent/guardian of the absent child to determine the reason for the absences.

• Teachers must document the results of the parent/guardian contact in FOCUS (Student Info -> Student documentation).

• If a student has at least five unexcused absences for which the reasons are unknown within a calendar month, or 10 unexcused absences, or absences for which the reasons are unknown, within a 90-calendar day period, the student’s primary teacher, shall report to the school principal or his/her designee that the student may be exhibiting a pattern of non-attendance. Documentation of this referral to the principal by the teacher must be entered in FOCUS.

Administrator’s Responsibilities:

• If the principal/designee determines a pattern of nonattendance is occurring, the principal/designee will refer the case to the school’s child study team (MTSS).

• If an initial MTSS meeting does not resolve the problem, the MTSS team shall: 1) notify the parent in writing and 2) schedule a meeting with the parent to identify potential remedies.

• The MTSS team will implement other interventions, including referrals to other agencies for family services or they may recommend filing a truancy petition.

Please Note: Evidence of the above procedures must be documented before a truancy petition can be filed against a parent/guardian.

SDIRC Tiered Attendance Interventions

Based on Attendance Works Best Practices & Florida State Statutes

Tier 1

School-Wide Strategies:

  • Create an engaging school climate.
  • Focus on positive relationships.
  • Understand the impact of absences on achievement.
  • Monitor attendance data.
  • Recognize good and improved attendance.
  • Use activities to reduce absenteeism.
  • Identify and address common barriers, i.e., flu season, hurricane, etc.

District & State Attendance Policies:

  • The teacher notifies the parents upon 3rd unexcused absence.
  • The teacher must report to principal upon the 5th unexcused absence within a calendar month, or 10th within a 90-day period.
  • The student must be referred to the MTSS team if a pattern of non-attendance is established.

School Counselors will support schools with data monitoring and celebrating successes.

Tier 2

Targeted Interventions:

  • Implement personalized school -based early outreach.
  • Develop an action plan that addresses barriers and increases student engagement.
  • Assign or design a caring attendance mentor.

When the MTSS team identifies a pattern of non-attendance:

  • A meeting with the parent must be scheduled to create interventions and monitor student attendance.
  • The MTSS team may consult with Attendance staff to explore additional interventions.

School Counselors and Mental Wellness Specialists may support with data monitoring, phone calls, letters and home visits.

 

Tier 3

Intensive Interventions
Implement a school based intervention plan:

  • Check In/Check Out
  • Home-school connections
  • Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS)
  • Peer mentoring
  • Small group counseling


District & Agency Staff

  • Coordinate a school and interagency response
  • Refer to truancy court
  • Refer for legal intervention (last resort)