A good attendance record can mean much more than a handshake and a certificate presented at the end of the school year assembly. In the early years, it can be a predictor of student success for grade-level reading and a precursor for drop-out prevention. Yet an estimated one in five students in the United States misses a month of school per year. Missing three or more days per month can set students back one to two full years of learning behind their peers.

Measuring absenteeism can be difficult since there are varying ways to track attendance. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the academic year for any reason, including excused and unexcused absences.

Based on a 180-day school year, that means a student would miss about 18 days per year. If a student is absent due to a medical condition and a physician note is provided stating that the student is unable to attend school for a certain day or time frame, those days are not included in monitoring a student’s absence.

If a student is attending a school-related function, those days are not included in monitoring a student’s absence.

Grand Forks Public Schools believes that regular school attendance is the joint responsibility of the student and their parent(s)/guardians(s), and it is essential for student success in school.

The school system shall abide by compulsory attendance requirements in state law for students ages seven through sixteen. In order to comply with and enforce these requirements, the Grand Forks School Board establishes the following attendance policy:

Students shall be in attendance a minimum of 160 days per school year to be considered for grade promotion.

In order to ensure that a student has completed what has been determined to be sufficient for course work completion towards graduation, school work missed by the student during an absence shall be made up regardless of the reason for the absence.

Students in grades K-5 whose poor attendance has caused a notable deficiency in learning may be retained at their present grade level if such a course is advantageous to the student. This decision is made in accordance with the Retention Procedure.

Building administrators are granted the right to make exceptions to this minimum standard.

Poor attendance is frequently the first sign that a student is on the road to school difficulty and possibly dropping out. Each day a student misses school results in gaps in their education, an education that is ever-more necessary for our constantly changing society.

The State of North Dakota recognizes the importance of education and has passed laws requiring all school-age children to attend school regularly. Your child has missed more school than is acceptable and the situation does not appear to be improving adequately as a result of school interventions.

Tier 1: Prevention efforts focused on building positive school environments and improved school connectedness. Any student missing more than four days of school prior to the 40th day or 10% of school (not including medical absences).

Tier 2: Early identification and immediate intervention to re-engage students with poor attendance. Any student who has received the Tier 1 letter and is missing more than eight days prior to the 80th day or 10% of school (not including medical absences).

Tier 3: Intensive intervention with students and families appropriate for attendance issues that are severe or entrenched in practice. Any student who has received the Tier 2 letter and is missing more than 12 days or 10% of school after the 120th day.

Referral for Diversion Meeting if there continue to be no improvements with school attendance.

North Dakota law defines what constitutes a compulsory attendance violation (student not in attendance according to ND law). Suspected violations of the compulsory attendance law shall be reported to the school administration and investigated in accordance with the law. When a compulsory attendance violation is substantiated, the District shall comply with law enforcement reporting requirements under the law.

If after attempted interventions, contact or attempted contact with guardians, and following the Tier 3 Stay in School process, your child continues to experience poor attendance, you and your child will be required to attend a Stay in School Diversion Hearing. You will receive communication via email, letter, and phone call with the date, time, and location of the meeting. The Stay in School Community Attendance Team will be present at this meeting.

The Community Attendance Team consists of representatives from Grand Forks Public Schools, Grand Forks County Social Services, Grand Forks States Attorney, Northeast Central Juvenile Court, Grand Forks Police Department, Lutheran Social Services, Northeast Human Service Center, and The Village. These agencies have committed their time and resources to assist students and their families in achieving regular school attendance. Regular school attendance leads to a more successful future for the young people in our community. This team meets quarterly.