Bedford County Schools Attendance Policy

Attendance is a key factor in student achievement and therefore, students are expected to be present each day that school is in session.

  Absences shall be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the principal or his designee.  Excused absences may include:

     1.  Personal illness;

     2.  Illness of immediate family member;

     3.  Death in the family;

     4.  Extreme weather condition;

     5.  Religious observances; or

     6.  Circumstances which in the judgment of the principal create emergencies over which the student has

          no control.

     7.  Court

 Truancy is defined as an absence for an entire school day, a major portion of the school day or the major portion of any class, study hall or activity during the school day for which the student is scheduled.

   Students participating in school-sponsored activities whether on or off-campus shall not be counted absent.  In order to qualify as "school-sponsored," the activity must be school-planned, school-directed, and teacher-supervised.  Mass exodus or early dismissal or late arrival of all students or any segment of students shall not be permitted for any reason except for emergencies such as inclement weather or other unavoidable situations, unless instruction time is made up in full.

  Following five (5) absences without adequate excuse, a student's parent or guardian shall be notified of the Bedford County Attendance Policy by an official of the school system.  A copy of the notification shall be filed with the attendance supervisor.

     All schools will issue excused and unexcused absences in accordance with school policy.  An excused absence permits the student to make up school work, (at the teacher's discretion), within five (5) days of returning to school.  An unexcused absence denies a student the privilege of completing these assignments.

  School officials are permitted to require a physician's verification to substantiate an illness.  Adequate excuse is generally interpreted as having medical verification or exemplary hardship.  Hardship cases may be referred to a hearing of the Board.

 Ten (10) consecutive or fifteen (15) total unexcused absences during any semester renders a student ineligible to retain a driver's permit or license or to obtain such if of age.  The principal shall be responsible for notifying in writing the superintendent and the parents of the student of any action taken by the school.

  After ten (10) consecutive or fifteen (15) total reported absences (excused or unexcused) by the student during any semester, an attendance committee appointed by the principal will conduct a hearing to determine if any extenuating circumstances exist or verifying that the student has met attendance requirements that will allow him to retain or obtain a driver's permit or license.

 Any administrative decision regarding attendance may be appealed initially to the superintendent and ultimately to the Board.  The appeal shall be made in writing to the superintendent within five (5) school days following the action or the report of the action, whichever is later.

 Student attendance records shall be given the same level of confidentiality as other student records.  Only authorized school officials with legitimate educational purposes may have access to student information without the consent of the student or parent/guardian.

 Requests for students to attend school in counties in adjoining states shall be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Approved by the Bedford County Board of  Education

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