FCS-SW-02  12/05                             FRANKLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS

 

Student Name:  ____________________________________________________  Grade:  _________  DOB:  _______

 

NOTICE OF STATE COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE LAW O.C.G.A. CODE 20-2-690

 


ATTENDANCE TERMS AND INFORMATION

 

Truant

Any child subject to compulsory attendance who during the school calendar year has more than five days of unexcused absences is considered truant.  Each unexcused absence after five unexcused absences is considered a separate offense (S.B.O.E. 160-5-1.10).

Excused Absence

An excused absence is an absence that is the result of one of the following reasons:

1.        When the student is ill and when attendance in school would endanger the student’s health or the health of others, the absence is excused.  Parent written notes are accepted for the first five days for excused absences.

2.        A written doctor’s excuse is necessary for all absences after the first five.  When there is a serious illness or death in the immediate family, which justifies absence form school, the absence is excused.  The immediate family is defined as the mother, father, brother, sister, or grandparent.  Excused absences for a funeral/family illness are limited to 5 days during a school year.  Documentation for these absences should be a written doctor’s note for a copy of the funeral program or obituary.

3.        Absences as a result of a special and recognized religious holiday observed by the family are excused.

4.        Absences mandated by order of government agencies (i.e. pre-induction physical examination for service in the armed forces or a court order) are excused.  Documentation for these absences should be a written doctor’s excuse, written documentation from armed forces, or a subpoena.

5.        When conditions rendering attendance impossible or hazardous to student health or safety are present, the absence is excused.

6.        When a student registers to vote (not to exceed one day), the absence is excused.  A copy of the voter’s registration card is required for documentation.

NOTE:  All documentation for absences must be submitted to the school within two days of the student returning to school.

 


CONSEQUENCES AND PENALTIES OF EXCESSIVE ABSENCES

 

Parents/Guardians

Any student under the age of 16 who has five unexcused absences will be referred to the Attendance Support Team.  The parent will receive written notice of the time and date of the meeting.  Other consequences for excessive absences may be as follows:

1.        Legal charges may be filed against the parents/guardian if the child is under age 16 and has excessive absences.  If this happens, the parents/guardian may be placed under protective order and must abide by the rules set forth by the Juvenile Court Judge.

2.        The Juvenile Court Judge may invoke the following consequences for each separate offence:  a $25.00 - $100.00 fine per unexcused absence, imprisonment of parent/guardian not to exceed 30 days, community service, probation, and/or any combination of the above.

3.        Each unexcused absence after five unexcused absences is considered a separate offense.

 

Students

Any student under the age of 16 who has five unexcused absences will be referred to the Attendance Support Team.  The parent will receive written notice of the time and date of the meeting.  Other consequences for excessive absences my be as follows:

1.        Students may earn poor grades and test scores resulting in retention.  High school students face possible loss of course credit as a result of 5 absences in a class during a semester.

2.        Charges may be filed in Juvenile Court if a student is under the age of 16 and has five or more unexcused absences.  The Juvenile court Judge may invoke the following consequences:  informal probation for up to 24 months, detention or placement outside of the home, community service, and/or referral to a counseling or support program for students and/or parents.

3.        Denial or suspension of driver’s learner’s permit or license for one year or until the student’s 18th birthday.

4.        Each unexcused absence after five unexcused absences is considered a separate offense.

 


ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT FOR LEARNER’S PERMIT/DRIVER’S LICENSE (O.C.G.A. 40-5-22 SECTION 21B OF H.B. 1190)

To obtain a learner’s permit or driver’s license a student must be enrolled in school and not suspended out of school.  The student must have satisfactory attendance for a period of one academic year prior to applying for the learner’s permit or license.  Satisfactory attendance is defined as no more than 10 unexcused absences in the two semesters previous to the current semester of school.  If a student is enrolled in a home education program, he/she must be enrolled in a program that satisfies the requirements of all state laws governing such courses.

 

A learner’s permit or driver’s license will be suspended for 1 year or until the student’s 18th birthday for the following reasons:

1.        The student has dropped out of school without graduating and has remained out of school for 10 consecutive days, even with the parents’ permission to drop out of school.

2.        The student has more than 10 unexcused absences in a semester.

3.        The student has been suspended from school for threatening, striking, or causing bodily harm to a teacher or other school personnel; possession or sale of drugs or alcohol on school property; possession or use of a weapon on school property; any sexual offense prohibited under Chapter 6 of title 16; and/or causing substantial physical or visible bodily harm to or seriously disfiguring another person, including another student.

 

 


_________________________________    __________________     _______________________________________   ______________________

Parent Signature                                            Date                                  Student Signature                                                    Date