North Carolina law requires attendance in public school, private school or home school for all students between the ages of 7 and 16. Children under age 7 are subject to the public attendance law as long as they are enrolled in a public school.

To be considered in attendance, a student must be present at the school or participating in an approved school activity at least half the school day. High school students are considered absent from a class if they miss more than one-third of the instructional time.

What are lawful absences?

A student is not in violation of the state attendance law if he is absent for one of the following reasons:

• Illness or injury which prevents the student from being physically present

• Isolation required by the health department

• Death of a member of the student's family

• Emergency or approved medical or dental appointment

• Required attendance at a legal hearing

• Religious holidays

• Approved school activity/educational opportunity

• Suspension for misconduct

How are lawful absences verified?

Parent notes and/or other verification are required for student absences and must be presented within 2 days of the student's return to school, otherwise the absence will be considered unlawful. Medical verification is required for any chronic condition/illness likely to result in frequent absences.

What is the policy on makeup work?

Students may make up assignments for lawful absences provided the work is completed within the deadlines set by the school. If a student exceeds the number of allowable absences in the policy, a principal may request additional documentation to verify lawful absences and allow the student to complete makeup work. Graded work not completed within the allotted time may be recorded as a failing grade.

With the approval of the principal, teachers may provide makeup work for a student who is absent for an unlawful reason. Students who are suspended shall be allowed to make up exams. Students who are truant may not make up work.

Is there a local limit on absences?

To be promoted the elementary school limit is 10 days per school year.

The middle school limit is 10 absences per course during the school year.

To receive course credit the limit at high schools is 5 absences per course.

(Courses are 1 semester.)

Requests for exceptions to the absence policy because of extenuating

circumstances may be made, in writing, to the school principal.

The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles will revoke the driver's

license or learner's permit of any student who drops out of school prior to the 18th birthday.

How can you know a school's specific regulations?

Each school publishes a handbook containing detailed guidelines for attendance, makeup work and appeals. Questions should be addressed to the administrative staff at the student's school.

What is the tardy policy?

The tardy policy is explained in each individual school's handbook.

• believes regular school attendance is vital to school achievement

• supports the School Attendance Law of North Carolina

• expects students and parent/guardians to be responsible for attendance

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Transylvania County Schools is an equal opportunity organization and does

not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age, or national

origin in its employment, programs or activities.

Information in this publication is based on NC state law and Transylvania County

Board of Education policy JE. Copies of the policy are available at Morris Education

Center or through any school office. Board policies may be accessed through

the Transylvania County Schools website.