MJUSD
DIVISION 5000
STUDENTS

ABSENCES AND EXCUSES

The Governing Board believes that regular attendance plays an important role in student achievement. The Board recognizes its responsibility under the law to ensure that students attend school regularly. Parent/guardians of children aged six (6) to eighteen (18) are obligated to send their children to school unless otherwise provided by law. The Board shall abide by all State attendance laws and may use appropriate legal means to correct the problems of excessive absence or truancy.

Excused Absences

Absence from school shall be excused only for health reasons, family emergencies and justifiable personal reasons, as permitted by law, Board policy and administrative regulations. (Education Code 46010, 48216, 48205)

Since class participation is an integral part of students' learning experiences, parent/guardians and students shall be encouraged to schedule medical appointments during nonschool hours.

At the beginning of each academic year, notifications shall be sent to the parent/guardians of all students, and to all students in grades seven (7) through twelve (12), informing them that school authorities may excuse any student from school to obtain confidential medical services without the consent of the student's parent/guardian. (Education Code 46010.1)

Students in grades K-6 shall not be absent from school without their parent/guardians' knowledge or consent except in cases of medical emergency. Students in grades 7-12 shall not be absent from school without their parent/guardians' knowledge or consent except in cases of medical emergency or confidential medical appointment.

Student absence for religious instruction or participation in religious exercises away from school property may be considered excused subject to law and administrative regulations. (Education Code 46014)

A student's grades may be affected by excessive unexcused absences in accordance with Board policy.

Legal Reference:

Education Code
1740 Employment of personnel to supervise attendance (county superintendent)
2550-2558.6 Computation of revenue limits
37201 School month
37223 Weekend classes
41601 Reports of average daily attendance
42238-42250.1 Apportionments
46000 Records (attendance)
46010-46014 Absences
46100-46119 Attendance in kindergarten and elementary schools
46140-46147 Attendance in junior high and high schools
48200-48208 Children ages 6-18 (compulsory full-time attendance)
48210-48216 Exclusions from attendance
48240-48246 Supervisors of attendance
48260-48273 Truants
48292 Filing complaint against parent
48320-48324 School attendance review boards
48340-48341 Improvement of student attendance
49067 Unexcused absences as cause of failing grade

Elections Code
12302 Student participation on precinct boards

Family Code
6920-6929 Consent by minor

Vehicle Code
13202.7 Driving privileges; minors; suspension or delay for habitual truancy

Welfare and Institutions Code
601-601.4 Habitually truant minors
11253.5 Compulsory school attendance

Code of Regulations, Title 5
306 Explanation of absence
420-421 Record of verification of absence due to illness and other causes

Attorney General Opinions
66 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 245, 249 (1983)

First Reading: 5/24/01

Governing Board Adoption: 6/13/01