What is an Unlawful Absence from School?

The school district is responsible for monitoring and maintaining records of the attendance of students. All absences should be treated as unlawful until the school district receives a written excuse explaining the reason(s) for an absence. Parents/guardians and students should submit the written explanation within three calendar days of the absence and should be informed that if they fail to provide a written excuse within three days of the absence, the absence would be permanently counted as unlawful. 

Under Section 11.24, students who miss ten consecutive school days shall be dropped from the active membership roll unless the school is provided with evidence the excuse is legal or the school is pursuing compulsory attendance prosecution. Students of compulsory school age, who have not complied with compulsory attendance requirements, may be offered alternative education services or other provisions of education. Students are entitled to a free public education until the age of 21 years of age or until they receive a high school diploma, whichever occurs first.