Macon County Schools

TRUANCY

An estimated 41% of students dropped out of school in Alabama in 2007. The major reasons that students drop out of school are poor attendance, truancy, and failure to move up in grade classification. Students must attend school (physically or virtually) to achieve. Society demands that young people are to be educated to meet the technological advances present in the world of work. The Alabama compulsory attendance laws require that all young people between the ages of six (6) and seventeen (17) attend school. The law also states that parents or guardians are responsible for their child’s regular attendance and proper conduct. Parent(s)/guardian(s) must provide the child’s teacher/administrator an explanation of each absence within three days after the student returns to school. If the parent or guardian fails to provide this information to the teacher/administrator, each student’s absence will be recorded as unexcused or truant.

An Early Warning Truancy Prevention Program as requested by the State Department of Education and the Administrative Office of Courts was approved by the Macon County Board of Education and implemented in Macon County Schools in previous years. However, a new truancy definition provided and mandated by the Alabama Department of Education has been implemented. A phone calling system is used as a tool to reach parents regarding attendance.

The following procedures for handling truancies will be uniformly administrated throughout Macon County Schools:

1. First Truancy (Unexcused Absence) • A parent must be contacted and provided a copy of Alabama’s compulsory attendance laws upon the first unexcused student absence. • Parent(s)/guardian(s) have seventy-two hours /three (3) days to respond in writing with an explanation for the student’s absence. If no explanation is provided, the child is considered truant for that absence. Note: This includes virtual/non-traditional classes as well.

2. Third Truancy (Unexcused Absence) A parent must be notified by mail or e-mail.

3. Fifth Truancy (Unexcused Absences) The parent(s)/guardian(s) will be required to attend a conference at the school with the attendance officer and/or principal /designee and/or participate in an Early Warning Program conducted by the juvenile court. Attendance at these meetings is mandatory.

4. Any parent/ guardian, or child who does not attend any of the scheduled meetings will be subject to having a complaint or petition filed in accordance with the Code of Alabama (1975).

5. Seventh Truancy (Unexcused Absences) Beginning with the seventh unexcused absence, a petition/complaint will be filed against the parent(s)/guardian(s) and child (when age appropriate) with the Juvenile Court of Macon County.