Attendance/Truancy Information

The principal, teacher of each public school and each private tutor shall keep an attendance register showing the enrollment of the school and every absence of each enrolled child from school for a half day or more during each school day of the year. Authority: Ala. Code §16-28-8(1975) State Superintendent of Education Interpretation, June 3, 1988, Amended by Alabama Acts 1982, No. 82-218, p. 260, §6

The attendance roll must be checked daily, and each absence recorded. Authority: Ala. Code § 16-28-7 State Superintendent of Education Interpretation, June 3, 1988, Amended by Alabama Act 2014-245, §4, eff. 7/1/2014 Ala. Code §16-28-8(1975 Amended by Alabama Acts 1982, No. 82-218, p. 260, §6

Students must be in attendance one-half of the instructional day to be counted and reported present. Authority: Ala. Code § 16-28-8(1975) State Superintendent of Education Interpretation, August 30, 1983, Amended by Alabama Acts 1982, No. 82-218, p. 260, §6

MANDATORY ATTENDANCE LEGISLATION

Code of Alabama (1975) §16-28-3 requires all children between the age of six (6) and seventeen (17) years of age to attend school for the minimum number of scholastic days prescribed by the Alabama State Board of Education. All laws regarding school attendance shall be strictly enforced by the Trussville City Board of Education.

TRUANCY DEFINITION

Parent/legal guardian or other persons having charge of any student officially enrolled in Alabama public schools (K-12) must provide the school, within three (3) school days of each and every absence (or consecutive absences), a written explanation of the reason(s) for each absence. Failure to furnish such explanation shall be evidence of the student being truant each day he/she is absent. The student shall be deemed truant for any absence determined by the principal to be unexcused based upon the State Department of Education’s School Attendance Manual.

In Alabama, children under the age of 6 are not subject to the state's truancy laws, which generally apply to compulsory school-aged students (ages 6-17). However, students aged 5 and under who are enrolled in a public school must still adhere to other attendance laws and system policies.

Voluntary Enrollment

If a child under the age of 6 is enrolled in a public school, they are expected to comply with attendance policies set by the school system.

Parents who enroll their child in kindergarten (which is not required by Alabama law) must ensure regular attendance, as it becomes a condition of enrollment.

Local School System Policies

Excused and unexcused absences, tardiness, and early dismissals for students aged 5 and under must follow district guidelines.

Habitual Absenteeism

While truancy laws do not apply, excessive absences (even for young students) can affect a child's educational progress and could prompt school intervention.

Chronic absenteeism may lead to parent meetings, intervention plans, or referrals to early intervention services.

Parental Responsibility

Parents must follow school policies for attendance, including proper notification and documentation for absences.

Students are to arrive on time for the beginning of the school day and leave the school campus immediately upon dismissal for the day and/or from other school related activities (NOTE: Thirty minutes before or after school should be the maximum time of arrival and pick-up.) Extracurricular activities may be an exception.

Students arriving late to school, must check into school through the school office. Elementary school students and middle school students must be checked into the office by an adult and not dropped off at the front doors of the school office. Arriving late to school and not checking in through the school office or failing to report a discrepancy could result in an error in an attendance record for the student.

Student drivers, under the age of 19 years, with fifteen (15) or more unexcused absences or ten (10) consecutive absences in a school year will be reported to the Department of Public Safety for license revocation.

“The Department of Public Safety shall deny a driver's license or a learner's license for the operation of a motor vehicle to any person under the age of 19 who does not, at the time of application, present a diploma or other certificate of graduation issued to the person from a secondary high school of this state, or any other state, or documentation that the person: (1) is enrolled and making satisfactory progress in a course leading to a general educational development certificate (GED) from a state approved institution or organization, or has obtained the certificate; (2) is enrolled in a secondary school of this state or any other state; (3) is participating in a job training program approved by the State Superintendent of Education; (4) is gainfully and substantially employed; (5) is a parent with the care and custody of a minor or unborn child; (6) has a physician certify that the parents of the person depend on him or her as their sole source of transportation; or (7) is exempted from this requirement due to circumstances beyond his or her control as provided in this chapter.'' Ala. Code §16-28-40 (1975)

The principal or his/her designee may impose disciplinary measures for excessive tardies. Communication will be made to parents/guardians by the school if the number of tardies becomes excessive.

A “tardy” is defined as minutes missed in a student’s school day and can be broken down into the following:

Elementary

•  Students that have not entered through the front door when the morning bell rings are considered tardy.
• Students that are tardy should be “checked in” by the adult transporting the student.
• Students that leave (check out) before the school day is fully completed are considered tardy.

Secondary

• Students not in their classroom when the bell rings are considered tardy. Students that are tardy should be checked in through the middle school office by an adult before going to class. High school students should also check-in or check-out through the office when entering or leaving school.
• Students that are late to a class period.
• Students that leave (check out) before the school day is fully completed are considered tardy.

Necessary check-ins or check-outs must be processed by the parent through the school’s office. The Board encourages that appointments not of a critical nature be scheduled for times and days when school is not in session. Excessive check-ins and /or check-outs may result in a home visit by the TCS Teaching and Learning Representative and/or a referral to Early Warning at the District Office or Municipal Court. Check outs/Ins count as minutes missed in the student’s school day and could possibly be attributed to an absence for the day. In addition, check ins/ outs are recorded on the attendance profile as subsections of tardy.

If severe weather conditions exist, parents are asked to comply with emergency school dismissal procedures established by building level administrators.

CHECK OUTS AND PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS OLD

Individuals under the age of 18 years old can not check students out from school and should not be added as emergency contacts for students.

EXCESSIVE TARDINESS

Once fifteen (15) unexcused tardies to and from school have accumulated by a student during the school year, referral will be made to the District Office or Municipal Court; and the same Early Warning Court procedures may apply if the student has not been previously referred. The school may also impose disciplinary procedures for excessive tardies.. Excessive absences and tardies may also result in a home visit from a Teaching and Learning Representative.

Students arriving after the designated start time of a class period without an excused reason; marked tardy by the classroom teacher.. Chronic tardiness can lead to disciplinary actions, loss of instructional time, and impact student achievement. These tardies are addressed through tiered interventions, including warnings, parent communication, detention, or loss of privileges.

Students must be currently enrolled in Trussville City Schools to try out or participate in extracurricular activities. Daily attendance at school and practice is expected. In order for a traditional or non-traditional student to be eligible to participate in any after-school activity, he/she must be counted present for the school day of the activity. If a traditional or non-traditional student checks in/out or both during the school day and does not meet the required attendance minutes to calculate a full day’s attendance; he/she will not be allowed to compete. If the activity is to be held on a Saturday, then the student must meet the required attendance minutes to be counted present for the school day on the preceding Friday.

ABSENCE DEFINITION

An absence is defined as non-attendance in a regularly scheduled school day or class, whether in an in-person or, an alternative setting unless non-attendance is related to school sponsored activities or field trips documented by school personnel which will not count as an absence in terms of attendance accountability.

ABSENCE MONITORING BY PARENTS

Parents of students in grades 3-12 can routinely monitor absences by accessing their student’s information on the Parent Portal on the TCS web site: TCS Parent Portal. If a parent has a question or concern about an absence, the parent should contact the school as soon as possible.

Trussville City Schools utilizes Blackboard mass communications to send daily notifications to parents when students are marked absent for the day by the student’s local school. This notification reminds parents that a written explanation is required when the student returns to school from the absence. Parents should immediately notify the school office if they feel this notification was sent in error.

ATTENDANCE LETTERS

Attendance letters are sent to families via email or US Postal Service at the following intervals:

1. (3) Days Unexcused
2. (5 )Days Unexcused
3. (5) Parent Notes Exhausted
4. (6) Parent Notes Exhausted
5. (5 or More) Days Unexcused; Early Warning

Teachers will NOT be responsible for submitting email correspondence to the school office to explain student absences. Parents should submit all written explanations regarding the absence of their child to the school office.

WRITTEN EXPLANATION REQUIRED

1. The written notice shall require the attendance of the child at the school within three days from the date of the notice. Authority: Ala. Code §16-28-16(1975) Amended by Alabama Act 2001-344, p. 446, § Summary: When a student returns to school after an absence, the parent must provide in writing within three (3) days of the student’s return to school an excuse to the principal’s designee (attendance clerk).
   1. Every parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of any child required to attend public school, private school, or church school, shall as soon as practical explain the cause of any absence of the child under his control or charge which was without permission of the teacher. Authority: Ala. Code §16-28-15(1975) Acts 1982, No. 82-218, p. 260, §7 ii.
   2. Failure to furnish such explanation shall be admissible as evidence of such child being a truant with the consent and connivance of the person in control or charge of the child, unless such person can show to the reasonable satisfaction of the court that he had no knowledge of such absence and that he had been diligent in his efforts to secure the attendance of such child. Authority: Ala. Code §16-28-15(1975) Acts 1982, No. 82-218, p. 260, §7

MEDICAL EXCUSE VERIFICATION

Trussville City Schools reserves the right to verify the authenticity of medical excuses submitted to the school attendance clerk/office. This may include contacting the healthcare provider directly or requesting further documentation to substantiate the validity of the information listed on the medical excuse.

1. False or Altered Medical Excuse by Student: Any student caught manipulating a medical excuse will be held accountable by the standards of the Trussville City Schools Code of Conduct; and the absence dates notated on the manipulated excuse will be coded as unexcused by the school attendance clerk/office.
2. False or Altered Medical Excuse by Parent/Guardian or Other: Any medical excuse submitted to the school attendance clerk/office that has been validated as altered, fake or includes validated false information shall be admissible in Jefferson County Family Court and reported to the medical provider's practice. All dates listed in the medical excuse will be coded unexcused on the student’s attendance record.
3. Purchased Medical Excuses: Purchased medical excuses with no medical services provided to the student are not accepted as valid excuses for school ; all missed days by the student will be marked unexcused. 

ORIGINAL EXCUSE MUST BE PROVIDED BY PARENT/GUARDIAN

The original medical excuse should be provided to the school attendance clerk. Photo copies or emailed copies of medical excuses will not be accepted.

VALID MEDICAL EXCUSE REQUIREMENTS

The written notice shall require the attendance of the child at the school within three days from the date of the notice. Authority: Ala. Code §16-28-16(1975) Amended by Alabama Act 2001-344, p. 446, §1

The parent/legal custodian or guardian must provide a written explanation (excuse) to the school principal’s designee (attendance clerk) for each student’s absence within three (3) days of the student’s return to school. All valid medical excuses should include the following details:

1. The medical service provider’s dates of service should be listed.
2. The student must be a verifiable “patient of record” for the dates listed as excused on the medical excuse.
3. The excuse must be the original medical excuse provided to the parent/guardian; not copied, not altered or manipulated. No digital copies are allowed unless sent by the medical provider’s practice directly to a school official.
4. The excuse should not be purchased through any source along with no legitimate medical services provided to the student.
5. The excused absences should not indicate the excuse is directed by the parent such as a phone call from the parent.
6. The signature of the physician or authorized physician designee should be included. 
7. The medical provider’s physical address and telephone should also be on the written documentation; and should be a CURRENT employing practice of the physician.
8. Teladoc medical excuses will be verified for the medical provider and authenticity of services.
9. At-Home tests for medical illness such as flu or Covid-19 will not be accepted as a medical excuse for students.

BLANKET MEDICAL EXCUSE

While Trussville City Schools respects the expertise of licensed physicians, Trussville City Schools does not accept blanket medical excuses for previous, future or potential medical services received by the student. This includes potential absences that could occur for a student’s medical diagnosis (Additional information will be requested from the parent and physician regarding any medical diagnosis letter). Medical excuses should be obtained at the time medical services are provided to the student.

Parents are encouraged to provide medical documentation to the school principal at the beginning of the school year if their child has been diagnosed by a physician with a chronic medical condition that impedes regular school attendance. Further questions regarding chronic illnesses and attendance should be directed to the school principal.

LICENSED PHYSICIAN PARENT/GUARDIAN

While Trussville City Schools respects and acknowledges the medical expertise of parents who are licensed healthcare providers, the system reserves the right to request additional verification in medical excuses in certain situations. Specifically, if a pattern of medical excuses emerges from the licensed physician that is the parent of the student.

1. Third Party Verification: a medical excuse from an independent healthcare provider who is not an immediate family member.
2. Administrative Review: A meeting between the parents/guardian and school administration to discuss the student’s attendance to develop a plan to support consistent school attendance.

ANTICIPATED ABSENCE FORM

Families seeking pre-approved absences should contact the school attendance clerk for an “Anticipated Absences” form to request pre-approved absences.

1. The form is available from the school attendance clerk or school principal.
2. The form should be completed and submitted at least (3) three school days prior to the requested absence(s) whenever possible.
3. Yearly vacations do not qualify for pre-approval. This aligns with the State of Alabama attendance manual guidelines.
4. The request should fall under one of the form categories.
5. Submitted forms do not guarantee approval; principal decision only.
6. Parents and students are responsible for all missed work, and teachers have the authority to determine deadlines for missed work,
7. The principal will not pre-approve any days if the requested days and current absences for the student will equal or exceed eighteen (18) absences for the academic year.
8. Principals may not approve the request for your child to miss school due to low grades, or poor attendance for the current or past academic year.
9. If the request is approved, any remaining parent notes will be exhausted first on the requested absences. Only when all parent notes have been exhausted will additional days be excused by the principal.
10. Principals will collaborate with other system administrators when the request involves siblings in different schools to assure consistency. It is possible that one sibling may pass all criteria for approval while another may not.
11.  Duplicate requests in the same year or subsequent year are not guaranteed for approval.
12. If the request is not approved, the request and reason for the decision are discussed with the requesting parent and notated in the student’s attendance record.

PRE-APPROVED ANTICIPATED ABSENCE CATEGORIES

1. Parent Notes for More than Three Consecutive Days
   1. A parent may request to use more than (3) three parent notes consecutively by submitting the reason and request on the TCS  “Anticipated Absence” form.
   2. The principal will review the request along with all disclosed criteria to make the best determination.
2. Administrative Approved
   1. A request for pre-approved absences after all parent notes have been exhausted for the current academic year.
   2. The principal will review the request along with all disclosed criteria to make the best determination.
3. Funerals for Immediate Family
   1. A written explanation by the parent for the day of the funeral day can be used to excuse their student’s absence for that day. Funeral services for immediate family members may need pre-approval due to travel days or other circumstances. In cases that a pre-approval is not completed with the school principal for additional days before or after a family funeral; the parent may submit a request to the principal for approval on said days within three (3) days of the student’s return to school.
4. College Visits
   1. Pre-approval for qualified college visits must be obtained from the school principal in advance of the student’s visit. No more than (5) five total college visits will be allowed and excused by the principal for students during their junior and senior years. The (5) five approved college visits can be taken all in one year or over the course of two years but, only (5) five total visits will be allowed for excused school absences. Any additional college visits should be scheduled outside of the school session.
5. Military Enlistment
   1. Senior students enlisting in the military must obtain pre-approval from the principal in advance to have military processing or military testing dates excused from school. Students are required to submit supporting documentation with the request for a pre-approved absence.

The written notice shall require the attendance of the child at the school within three days from the date of the notice. Authority: Ala. Code §16-28-16(1975) Amended by Alabama Act 2001-344, p. 446, §1 Summary: The parent/legal custodian or guardian must provide a written explanation (excuse) to the school principal’s designee (attendance clerk) for each student’s absence within three (3) days of the student’s return to school.

The Trussville City Schools Parent Note policy allows parents that enroll their child with the system at the beginning of the school year to excuse their child (6) six times yearly to avoid penalty for short-term illnesses or situations that don’t require a formal medical excuse. Families that enroll their child with the system after December 1 are given the allowance of (3) three parent notes for the remainder of the year to avoid penalty for short-term illnesses or situations that don’t require a formal medical excuse.

The written excuse must include the following:

1. Written statement from the parent stating the reason for the absence
2. The date of absence(s)
3. The parent’s signature
   1. A parent may provide an excuse for six (6)absences within one school year according to the following conditions:
      1. A parent may not use more than three parent excuses on consecutive school days unless an Anticipated Absences (yearly vacations do not apply) form request was completed, submitted at least (3) three days before the absences occurred and approved by the school principal.
      2. A student must be enrolled prior to January 1 to receive 6 parent excuses in a school year.
      3. A student who enrolls on or after January 1 receives only 3 parent excuses for the remainder of the school year.

Teachers will not be responsible for submitting email correspondence to the school office to explain student absences. Parents should submit all written explanations regarding the absence of their child to the school attendance clerk/school office.

Absence as related to deployment activities – A student whose parent or legal guardian is an active duty member of the uniformed services, as defined by the compact (“Uniformed service(s)” means: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, as well as the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Public Health Services), and has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting, shall be granted additional excused absences at the discretion of the local educational agency superintendent to visit with his or her parent or legal guardian relative to such leave deployment of the parent or guardian. Authority: Ala. Code §16-44B-1(1975) Act 2009-560, p. 1609, §1

School days missed as a result of suspension are considered unexcused; however, a suspended student will have the opportunity to make up and receive full credit for all academic work. Students will have 3 days from the last day of the suspension to turn in assignments to their teachers at their base school. If a student is placed in Alternative School, the student is generally suspended 1-3 days prior to the placement. The student is responsible for completing the work missed during the time of suspension and getting the agreed upon work to the base school within the 3 day period.

Any absence that does not fall under the category of excused absence is recorded as an unexcused absence. Any student with five (5) unexcused absences during the school year may be referred to Early Warning Intervention with the Attendance Officer, School Administrator and/or City Judge.

Failure to furnish such explanation shall be admissible as evidence of such child being a truant with the consent and connivance of the person in control or charge of the child, unless such person can show to the reasonable satisfaction of the court that he had no knowledge of such absence and that he had been diligent in his efforts to secure the attendance of such child. Authority: Ala. Code §16-28-15(1975) Acts 1982, No. 82-218, p. 260, §7

The written notice shall require the attendance of the child at the school within three days from the date of the notice. Authority: Ala. Code §16-28-16(1975) Amended by Alabama Act 2001-344, p. 446, §1

Each child who is enrolled in a public school shall be subject to the attendance and truancy provisions of this article except that any parent or parents, guardian or guardians who voluntarily enrolls their child in public school, who feel that it is in the best interest of that child shall have the right to withdraw the child at any time prior to the current minimum compulsory attendance age. Authority: Ala. Code §16-28-16(b) (1975) Alabama Act 2001-344, p. 446, §1

Summary

Once a child reaches the compulsory attendance age (6 years old in Alabama), they must attend school unless they qualify for an exemption (e.g., homeschooling, private schooling, or early graduation).

Chronic absenteeism is one of the six (6) accountability indicators for the system’s annual Alabama Report Card. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or greater of the total number of days enrolled during the school year for any reason. It includes both excused and unexcused absences. Alabama public schools are required to attend 180 school days so, 10% for Alabama students equates to eighteen (18) missed days.

What to Expect Regarding Excessive Absences Summary

• Reminder letter(s) will be sent from the student’s school
• School telephone calls or emails to the parents
• A home visit may be made by a Trussville City Schools Representative

Excessive absences and/or tardies will require a parent/legal custodian to attend a truancy intervention meeting; Early Warning.

NON-ATTENDANCE

The superintendent shall require the attendance officer to investigate all cases of non- attendance. Authority: Ala. Code §16-28-16(1975) Amended by Alabama Act 2001-344, p. 446, §1

If the investigation discloses that the non-attendance was without valid excuse or good reason and intentional, the attendance officer shall bring criminal prosecution against the parent, guardian, or other person having control of the child. Authority: Ala. Code §16-28-16(1975) Amended by Alabama Act 2001-344, p. 446, §1

Each child who is enrolled in a public school shall be subject to the attendance and truancy provisions of this article except that any parent or parents, guardian or guardians who voluntarily enrolls their child in public school, who feel that it is in the best interest of that child shall have the right to withdraw the child at any time prior to the current minimum compulsory attendance age. Authority: Ala. Code §16-28-16(b) (1975) Alabama Act 2001-344, p. 446, §1 Summary: Once a child reaches the compulsory attendance age (6 years old in Alabama), they must attend school unless they qualify for an exemption (e.g., homeschooling, private schooling, or early graduation).

When the student is an habitual truant, or because of irregular attendance or misconduct has become a menace to the best interest of the school which he is attending or should attend, and the parent, guardian, or other person files a written statement in court stating that he is unable to control such child, the attendance officer must file a complaint in juvenile court against said student. Authority: Ala. Code §16-28-14(1975)

Once a student accumulates (5) five unexcused absences, the student and parent(s) will be referred to the TCS Truancy Intervention Program. Prior to this referral, parents may receive electronic and/or US postal mail to remind them of the TCS attendance policy and truancy laws. Any student referred to truancy intervention will be monitored by the TCS Truancy Intervention Program until they maintain TCS truancy compliance (less than 5 unexcused absences) for one school year. Accumulated unexcused absences of (7) seven or more can be referred to Jefferson Family Court.

No earlier than the fifth unexcused absence (conference) (i) The parent, guardian, or person having control of the child shall (1) attend a conference with the attendance officer and principal or his/her designee and/or (2) participate in the early warning program provided by the juvenile court. (ii) Attendance at one of these conferences shall be mandatory except where prior arrangements have been made or an emergency exists. (iii) Failure to appear at the school conference and/or to appear at the early warning program shall result in the filing of a complaint/petition against the parent under Ala. Code 1975, §16-28-12(c) (failure to cooperate), or a truancy against the child, whichever is appropriate.

The Trussville City Board of Education, the local school administration and the City of Trussville Municipal Judge participate in a joint effort to provide a TCS Truancy Intervention Program for students with excessive absences. This TCS Truancy Intervention Program is designed to inform and discuss with parents and students the following information:

• Intervention measures and resources
• Board policy regarding student attendance for all grade levels
• School attendance procedures
• The academic and social risks of truancy and education neglect
• Education on the Alabama Compulsory School Attendance Laws
• Appearance with City Judge
• Conference with school administrator
• Review of attendance record and grades
• Improvement of student attendance
• Court referral process

Alabama law (Title 16-28-12, Code of Alabama, 1975)

as amended states that each parent, legal guardian or other person having control or charge of any child required to attend school or to be regularly instructed by a private tutor, or who fails to send such child to school or have him or her instructed by a private tutor during the time such child is required to attend a public school, private school, denominational or parochial school, or be instructed by a private tutor, or fails to compel the child to properly conduct himself or herself as a pupil in accordance with the written policy of school behavior adopted by the Board of Education and documented by the appropriate school of officials which conduct may result in the suspension of the pupil, shall be reported by the principal to the superintendent of education of the Board of Education.

The superintendent of education or his or her designee shall report such suspected violations to the district attorney within ten (10) school days. The district attorney shall vigorously enforce this section (Code of Alabama 16-28-12, 1975) to ensure proper conduct and required attendance by any child enrolled in public school. In 2000, an amendment was signed by the governor stating that any child enrolled in a public school would be subject to the attendance laws regardless of age.

When the student is an habitual truant, or because of irregular attendance or misconduct has become a menace to the best interest of the school which he is attending or should attend, and the parent, guardian, or other person files a written statement in court stating that he is unable to control such child, the attendance officer must file a complaint in juvenile court against said student. Authority: Ala. Code §16-28-14(1975)

TRUANCY FILING

Age 12 and older: the student may be prosecuted.

Possible consequences:

• Electronic monitoring
• Adolescent Substance Abuse Program
• Report to Probation Officer weekly
• Community Service Hours
• Counseling
• Suspended Driver’s License

EDUCATIONAL NEGLECT

Educational Neglect/Violation of Parents Responsibility Act (VOPRA)/Violation of Alabama Compulsory School Attendance Law (VACSAL).

Under Age 15: the parent may be prosecuted.

School personnel are considered “mandatory reporters.” If neglect is suspected or observed, a report MUST be made to proper authorities.

Possible consequences include:

• Warrant issued for parent/legal custodian arrest
• Parent/legal custodian arrested. Approximate $2500 bond.
• Parent/legal custodian appears for a court hearing. If found guilty, could receive a 90- day jail sentence.
• Court-ordered to make sure the child is in school every day and on time.
• The parent could lose custody of the child.
• The Department of Human Resources (DHR) could be involved in the case.
• This filing could result in a criminal record for the parent.