Attendance
Students have the right to a free and appropriate public education, but they assume the responsibility to attend regularly and on time. Parents/guardians are responsible for the attendance of their children within the compulsory attendance age, 6 to 16. Parents have the responsibility to inform the school of their child’s absences and to explain the cause of each absence. Learn more about Florida State Statues, Part II, School Attendance.
Regular and punctual school attendance is crucial for a student’s academic success. The research findings make a clear case for engaging families to reduce chronic absenteeism. Good attendance habits begin at home with the right messages from parents and caregivers.
Attendance Standard
- All students are required to be on time and present each day school is open during the school year.
- Students may not be absent from school without permission of the principal/designee.
- The school principal or designee is the only person authorized to excuse a student’s absence.
- A note from a parent/guardian is a request that a student’s absence be excused.
- A pattern of non-attendance is, missing 10% to 19% or more of school, whether the absences are excused or not. At such time the principal shall refer the student to the Attendance Review Committee to determine if early patterns of truancy are developing and identify root causes. An intervention plan will be put in place to identify potential remedies and improve the student’s attendance.
- For enforcement of school attendance purposes, unless acceptable documentation is submitted, an accumulation of daily unexcused absences that equal five (5) days in a calendar month or ten (10) days within a ninety (90) calendar day period, may be exhibiting a pattern of non-attendance as determined by the Attendance Review Committee.
- If the student exceeds the ten (10) parent/guardian notes in a school year, principals may request additional documentation for subsequent absences.
- Chronic tardiness is defined as six (6) or more tardies to school or to an individual class per quarter.
Per Florida Law:
Patterns of Non-Attendance
According to Florida Law, a student is considered at risk of developing attendance issues when:
- They have 5 or more unexcused absences in a calendar month, or
- 10 unexcused absences within a 90-day period.
When either threshold is met, the principal refers the student to the Attendance Review Committee or Child Study Team, who will meet with you to explore supports and develop an attendance improvement plan.
If a student accumulates more than 10 parent/guardian notes in a school year, the principal may require additional documentation to excuse future absences.
Chronic Tardiness
Six or more tardies to school or to class per quarter is considered chronic and may result in outreach or interventions. In some cases, students who are chronically tardy or skipping class may have disciplinary consequences consistent with the Code of Conduct.
Make-Up Work for Excused Absences
Don't worry - when an absence is excused, your child can make up missed assignments for full credit. For excused absences, they get the number of days absent plus one extra day to complete work.
Why This Matters
- These processes are in place to ensure your child doesn’t fall behind and that we respond early with support - not discipline.
- Regular attendance helps build continuity in learning, develops strong habits, and facilitates meaningful connections with classmates and teachers.
- Working together, we can identify and address barriers before they become bigger challenges.
What If My Child Becomes Truant?
Florida law requires that all children between the ages of 6 and 16 regularly attend school. When a student has too many unexcused absences, they may be considered truant.
In Florida, a child is considered truant when they have 15 or more unexcused absences within 90 calendar days.
Schools are required by law to take steps to address truancy. This means the district will partner with families first to identify barriers, offer support, and create a plan to improve attendance. If absences continue after supports have been offered, state law requires the district to take further action.
This may include:
- A referral to the School Social Worker, Attendance Review Committee, or Child Study Team to develop a plan with the family.
- Possible involvement of the District Truancy Office, Truancy Court, and/or a referral to the State Attorney’s Office or Department of Juvenile Justice if attendance does not improve.
Our focus is always on helping families, not punishing them. Legal action is the last resort and only happens when absences persist despite support and outreach.