Attendance

Please refer to the Bradley County Schools Attendance Policy for more information. The policy can be found at www.bradleyschools.org.

Attendance is a key factor in student achievement, and therefore, students are expected to be present each day school is in session. Students shall be present at least fifty percent (50%) of the scheduled school day in order to be counted present. Students may attend part-time days, alternating days, or for a specific amount of time as indicated in their Individualized Education Plan or 504 Plan and shall be considered present for school attendance purposes. 

Absences shall be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the principal or designee. Excused absences shall include: 1. Personal illness/injury; 2. Illness of immediate family members; 3. Death in the family; 4. Extreme weather conditions; 5. Religious observances; 6. Pregnancy; 7. School-endorsed activities; 8. Summons, subpoena, or court order; or 9. Circumstances that, in the judgment of the principal, create emergencies over which the student has no control. Written notice to the parent(s)/guardian(s) of any student who is absent five (5) days without adequate excuse. If a parent does not provide documentation within an adequate time excusing those absences or request an attendance hearing, the Progressive Truancy Plan will be implemented prior to referral to juvenile court. 

Progressive Truancy Plan Prior to referral to juvenile court, the following progressive truancy plan will be implemented. Tier 1 Tier 1 of the progressive truancy plan shall apply to all students within the district and include schoolwide prevention-oriented supports to assist with satisfactory attendance. These supports shall include, but are not limited to: 1. Notification of attendance expectations through Student Handbooks. 2. Notification of the Progressive Truancy Plan through Student Handbooks. 3. Making parents and students aware when a student has three (3) unexcused absences and the consequences of having five (5) unexcused absences. 4. Five (5) unexcused absences will result in being placed in Tier 2 Tier 2 Tier 2 of the Progressive Truancy Plan shall be implemented after the student accumulates five (5) unexcused absences, but before referral to juvenile court, and includes the following: 1. A conference with the student and the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s); 2. An attendance contract, based on the conference, signed by the student, the parent(s)/guardian(s), and an attendance supervisor or designee. The contract shall include: a. A specific description of the school’s attendance expectations for the student; b. The period for which the contract is effective; and c. Penalties for additional absences and alleged school offenses, including additional disciplinary action and potential referral to juvenile court; and 3. Regularly scheduled follow-up meetings to discuss the student’s progress. 4. A school employee shall conduct an individualized assessment detailing the reasons a student has been absent from school. The employee may refer the student to counseling, community-based services, or other services to address the student’s attendance problems. If a student accumulates an additional unexcused absence in violation of the attendance contract in Tier II, the student will be subject to Tier 3. Tier 3 Tier 3 shall be implemented if the truancy interventions under Tier 2 are unsuccessful. Tier 3 shall consist of interventions recommended through the Bradley County Juvenile Campus Court. Campus Court will review the case with the family and make appropriate referrals for services. The interventions shall address students’ needs in an age-appropriate manner. Finalized plans shall be approved by the Director of Schools/designee. For more information on the Progressive Truancy Plan, refer to policy 6.200 and TCA 49-6-3009.

All missed work, whether due to an EXCUSED absence or to an UNEXCUSED absence, must be made up to insure no academic penalty to the students. Student work for absences must be made up in order to gain academic credit. At the secondary level (grades 6-12) it is the student’s responsibility in conjunction with the teacher to determine what assignments and tests have been missed and to make arrangements for making up such coursework and assessments. At the elementary level (grades P-5) the teacher will fill the primary role in assuring that students returning from an absence will be given make-up work and assessments. 1. Excused/Unexcused Make Up – The number of school days allowed to complete the work upon return to school shall be equal to the number of days absent. 2. Suspension Make Up: a. If a student is suspended one (1) to five (5) days, the student will have two (2) school days upon return to complete make-up work. b. If a student is suspended six (6) to ten (10) days the student will have four (4) school days upon return to complete make-up work. While academic punishment will not be employed in response to truancy/excessive absenteeism, Bradley County Schools will take other strict measures to address unwarranted absences. Therefore, a student who has been absent must, upon his or her return to school, provide a written explanation/excuse signed by his or her parent or guardian. The principal or his or her designee may require a statement from a physician before an absence is excused.