I. All children who have attained the age of 6 years, or who will have attained the age of 6 years by February 1 of any school year, or who are older than 6 years but have not attained the age of 16 years, are required to attend school regularly during the entire school term. A student who attains the age of 16 during the school year is not subject to compulsory school attendance beyond the date upon which he or she attains that age if the student files a formal declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment with the district school board.

A. A student who is absent without the principal’s approval shall have his/her legal guardian report such absences to the school in the manner prescribed by the Code Of Student Conduct.

B. District procedures shall prescribe attendance requirements including, but not limited to, provisions for excused and unexcused absences, opportunities to make up work assignments, reporting absences, tardies, and early dismissals.

C. Students shall be excused from any examination, study, work assignments, or homework for observance of a religious holiday or because the tenets of his/her religion forbid secular activity at such time. The school principal shall implement this provision on an individual basis pursuant to Florida Statutes and State Board of Education Rules.

II. Teachers must track student attendance on a daily basis. Parents shall be contacted regarding student absences as required by law. Student absences must be reported by period at the middle and high school levels.

A. In order to be considered present for the day, a student must be in attendance minimally for:

1. High school – equivalent of four periods in a traditional seven period day (200 minutes) or three block periods (270 minutes)

2. Middle school – present four periods of the day (200 minutes)

3. Elementary school – present half of the school day (200 minutes)

B. Accumulated tardies and early departures without an adequate excuse will be recorded as prescribed by district procedures.

III. A person designated by the Superintendent or his/her designee shall investigate truancy problems.

A. District procedures shall prescribe the requirements for identification of a pattern of non-attendance, interventions at the school level, and referral requirements for habitual truancy.

B. District procedures shall prescribe the requirements for monitoring and intervention for habitual truancy pursuant to Florida Statutes.