Chronic Absenteeism Update

Published August 18, 2017

Student attendance matters. As we first reported in June, the Tennessee Department of Education’s new education accountability model, approved by the United States Department of Education as part of the Every Child Succeeds Act, now uses attendance as a factor in school and district accountability. Students who miss more than 10 percent of the school year, regardless of the reason (excused or unexcused), will be identified as being chronically absent.

As a result, the school district has changed its requirements relating to documentation of absences. Beginning this year, schools will accept a parent-written note for up to four absences per semester. Thereafter, schools will require more formal documentation to determine if an absence will be excused. Please remember that all absences count toward the “chronic absentee” identification.

Tennessee truancy law still requires the district to report students who have accumulated five or more unexcused absences.

In the weeks ahead, the School Board will consider how this new state regulation will impact exam exemptions, college visits and other activities which result in student absences.

Schools and the district will continue to communicate updated information.