Attendance Policy K-12 ( continued ) P 5113
The Connecticut Board of Education adopted new definitions for an absence to be considered excused ( see table below ). It is important to note that while the first nine absences in a school year can be deemed excused for any reason the parent or guardian provides , the tenth and each subsequent absence establish a more stringent and specific set of reasons for the absence to qualify as excused .
In cases of an excused absence other than family-initiated travel , appropriate provisions will be made by school staff regarding assistance with missed assignments , homework and tests . When an excused absence is the result of family-initiated travel , teachers are under no obligation to provide advance assignments or to review work missed during the period of absence . However , students must be allowed to take make-up tests . The student ’ s Principal / Assistant Principal must be notified in writing of extended absences due to family-initiated travel .
The State Board of Education defines two levels of criteria for an absence to be considered an excused absence ( see table below ).
Level |
Total # of Days Absent * |
Acceptable Reasons for a Student Absence to Be Considered Excused |
Documentation Required within 10 Days |
1
One through nine
2 Ten and above
• Any reason that the student ’ s parent or guardian approves .
• Student illness ( Note : to be deemed excused , an appropriately licensed medical professional must verify all ). The lack of transportation that is normally provided by a district other than the one the student attends ( parental documentation is not required for this reason ).
• Student ’ s observance of a religious holiday .
• Death in the student ’ s family or other emergency beyond the control of the student ’ s family .
• Mandated court appearances ( additional documentation required ).
• The lack of transportation that is normally provided by a district other than the one the student attends ( parental documentation is not required for this reason ).
• Extraordinary educational opportunities pre-approved by district administrators . ( Opportunities must meet certain criteria . See below for details ).
* Note : The total number of days absent includes both excused and unexcused absences .
Parent or guardian note or phone call .
Parent or guardian note and in some cases additional documentation ( see details of specific reason ).
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