TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A new attendance policy could be rolled out at Leon County Schools that addresses students who have repeated unexcused absences, according to the new policy.<\/p>\n
The proposed policy applies to students who show a repeated pattern of unexcused absences of 5 within a month or 10 within 90 days. It also reads that the school principal is now required to refer the child to a child study team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe child study team may allow the parent to attend the meeting virtually or by telephone if the parent is unable to attend the meeting in person,\u201d according to the attendance policy. <\/p>\n
The policy notes that the meeting can proceed without the parents if they do not attend. In that case, recommendations from the team based on available information will be sent to the parent within seven days.<\/p>\n
Leon County School Board member Darryl Jones said this was an important step, \u201cSo that they can have one important cognitive development, be prepared for testing and be able to make that transition from one grade to another.\u201d<\/p>\n
More Tallahassee news:<\/p>\n
The child study team can also implement more frequent communication, identify reasons for absences and offer remedies like referrals to services. If the student does not comply with attendance rules, the team can also refer the case to the Department of Juvenile Justice, where they offer voluntary family services before holding a formal staffing committee meeting.<\/p>\n
Parents can also appeal these referrals and strategies if they believe them to be \u201cunnecessary or inappropriate.\u201d The policy also says that if a student is \u201cresponsive to these interventions,\u201d they won\u2019t be labelled a habitually late student.<\/p>\n
In the new policy, schools can also have a \u2018Designated School Representative\u2019 who can visit homes or other locations to find students and bring them to parents, school or designated truancy site if a parent can\u2019t be reached.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaking certain that we\u2019re making the types of visits to homes, talking with parents, making certain that we\u2019re being responsive to the child\u2019s needs,\u201d Jones said.<\/p>\n
According to the proposed policy, the superintendent is required to report to law enforcement any case where the parents or students don\u2019t cooperate after 15 days of the referral to the child study team. They can also refer it to the Office of the State Attorney for potential criminal prosecution.<\/p>\n
Tune in to Eyewitness News at 5p.m.and 6 p.m. for the full story. This article will also be updated this evening with all the details.<\/p>\n
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