WCPS Student Handbook 2023-2024

Wicomico County Board of Education Approval Status Index Code Title: Student Attendance Procedures SFS-GEN-PR-002 First Adopted: 05/14/14 Legal Review: 06/10/14 Approved Revisions: 12/08/22 09/04/20 08/28/19 06/10/14 05/14/13 Effective: 12/09/22 09/04/20 08/29/19 06/11/14 05/15/13 Page 1 of 11 WICOMICO COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION P.O. BOX 1538, 2424 NORTHGATE DRIVE, SUITE 100 SALISBURY MD 21802-1538 SFS-GEN-PR-002 Student Attendance Procedure Procedures for Policy Implementation and Standards for Regular Attendance at All Grades K – 12 I. Foundation All students are expected to attend school regularly in accordance with state law, regulation and this procedure. Students may be excused from class or school only for reasons as specified in state law, regulation and this procedure. The actions taken when the standard is not met should reflect a continuum of interventions and consequences aimed at improving student attendance and achievement. II. Scope This procedure applies to all students in grades K-12 (For Pre-K and Evening High School students please refer to those specific policies and procedures). Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring the proper attendance of their children in the Wicomico County Public School System. School administrators will be responsible for implementing any corrective actions necessary to ensure proper attendance. III. Definitions A. “Absence” – the act of a student not being present in school/class or at a school-related activity during the school day. B. “Attendance” – the act of a student being present at school on a regular school day and includes participation in school-sponsored activities as specified in COMAR 13A.08.01.01(COMAR 13A.02.06.02A.5) C. “Truant Student” – any student (K through 12th grade) who is absent for a school day or portion thereof without lawful cause as defined in Education Article 7-302.2 for more than : 1. 8 days in any quarter 2. 15 days in any semester or 3. 20 days in a school year D. “Habitual Truant” – any student who has been unlawfully absent from school for a number of days or portion of days in excess of 20 percent of the school days within any marking period, semester or year. (COMAR 13A.08.01.04C) E. “Tardy” – not being in the classroom when the class period starts. For the purpose of this policy lawful and unlawful tardies are determined by applying the same criteria as lawful and unlawful absence.

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