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Descriptor Title: ABSENCES AND EXCUSES K-12
Descriptor Code: JBD
Adopted Date: July, 2008
Reviewed Date:
Revised Date: June, 2013
Instructional Day
HB 1530 is an act to amend section 37-13-91, Mississippi code of 1972, to provide that a compulsory-school-age child who is absent more than 37% of the instructional day must be considered absent the entire day. Therefore, for the purposes of determining and reporting attendance, a pupil must be present for at least sixty-three percent (63%) of the instructional day to be considered present the entire school day.
The instructional day is therefore defined as a school day in which both teachers and pupils are in regular attendance for scheduled classroom instruction for not less than sixty-three percent (63%) of the required instructional time, as fixed by the local school board for each school in the school district. The school board will review and approve the instructional time for each school in the school district annually prior to the beginning of the school year.
Each of the following shall constitute an excused absence:
1. Illness or injury which prevents the student from being physically able to attend school.
2. When isolation is ordered by the county health officer, the State Board of Health, or an appropriate school official.
3. Death or serious illness of a member of the immediate family, which includes grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, stepbrothers, and stepsisters. The absences must be approved by the principal or his/her designee.
4. A medical or dental appointment documented with the proper excuse from the attending physician/dentist upon return to school.
5. Attendance at the proceedings of a court or an administrative tribunal if the student is a party to the action or under subpoena as a witness.
6. Observance of a religious event, with prior approval of the principal or his/her designee. (Approval should not be withheld unless, in the professional judgment of the principal or his/her designee, the extent of absence would adversely affect the student’s education.)
7. Attendance at an authorized school activity with the prior approval of the principal or his/her designee.
8. Participation in a valid educational opportunity, such as travel including vacations or other family travel, with prior approval of the principal or his/her designee.
9. An absence may be excused when it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the principal or his/her designee, that conditions are sufficient to warrant the child’s non-attendance. However, no absences shall be excused by the principal or his/her
designee, when any student suspensions or expulsions circumvent the intent and
spirit of the compulsory attendance law.
Elementary School Students (K-5)
• Ten (10) absences may be excused by a note from a parent/guardian.
• Any additional absence after the ten (10) excused by a parent/guardian note must be
excused by a note from a doctor or other documentation excusing said absence.
• Any documentation being given for excuse of absence(s) must be submitted to the
principal or his/her designee within three (3) school days of returning to school,
unless granted an exception by the principal for extenuating circumstances.
• When a student has exceeded five (5) unexcused absences, the DeSoto County
Attendance Officer shall be notified in writing within two (2) days by the school
principal or his/her designee.
*6th graders who are housed on an elementary campus will follow elementary
guidelines.
Middle School Students (6-8)
• Seven (7) absences may be excused by a note from a parent/guardian.
• Any additional absence after the seven (7) excused by a parent/guardian note must be
excused by a note from a doctor or other documentation excusing said absence.
• Any documentation being given for excuse of absence(s) must be submitted to the
principal or his/her designee within three (3) school days of returning to school,
unless granted an exception by the principal for extenuating circumstances.
• When a student has exceeded five (5) unexcused absences, the DeSoto County
Attendance Officer shall be notified in writing within two (2) days by the school
principal or his/her designee.
High School Students (9-12)
• Five (5) absences may be excused by a note from a parent/guardian.
• Any additional absence after the five (5) excused by a parent/guardian note must be
excused by a note from a doctor or other documentation excusing said absence.
• Any documentation being given for excuse of absence(s) must be submitted to the
principal or his/her designee within three (3) school days of returning to school,
unless granted an exception by the principal for extenuating circumstances.
• When a student has exceeded five (5) unexcused absences, the DeSoto County
Attendance Officer shall be notified in writing within two (2) days by the school
principal or his/her designee.
Make-up Work Policy
When a student is absent from school (excused or unexcused), the number of days allowed to complete any required make-up work is commensurate with the number of days missed to a maximum of five (5) days.
For example, if a student is absent from school for one (1) day, the student has one (1) day to complete the required make-up assignments. If the student is absent for five (5) days, he/she will have five (5) days to complete his/her make-up work. If the student is absent for twelve (12) days, the student has five (5) days to complete the missed work.
The principal has the discretion to allow additional time or limit the number of required assignments in extreme situations.
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