Jerome Joint School District No. 261

STUDENTS 3050

Attendance Policy

The entire process of education requires a regular continuity of instruction, classroom participation, learning

experiences, and study in order to reach the goal of maximum educational benefits for each individual child. The

regular contact of the students with one another in the classroom and their participation in instructional activities

under the tutelage of a competent teacher are vital to this purpose. This is an established principle of education

that underlies and gives purpose to the requirement of compulsory schooling in this and every other state in the

nation. The good things that schools have to offer can only be presented to students who are in attendance. With

continued emphasis regarding Excellence in Education, all parties involved in attendance can better strive for

quality in the classroom. Attendance reflects a student’s dependability and is a significant factor on the student’s

permanent record. Future employers are as much concerned about punctuality and dependability as they are

about academic record. School success, scholarship, and job opportunities are greatly affected by a good

attendance record.

To assure that all students have the opportunity to learn during their critical elementary and middle school grades;

students in grades K-3 who are not present at least 90% of the time and receive a below grade level (1)

score on the Spring IRI, may be retained in the same grade the following school year.

students in grades 4-8 who are not present at least 90% of the time and are below grade level when

measured by a combination of factors ( i.e. grades, Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) or other

achievement indicators) may be retained in the same grade the following school year.

Parents that disagree with the retention decision may request a meeting with school personnel. The final grade

placement will be made by the school.

Students who are close to violating the attendance policy, whether attendance or excessive tardies (over 90%), will

be notified by the school and may be referred to the Restorative Justice Diversion Program or the Jerome

prosecuting attorney for possible attendance court appearance.

For the purposes of this policy, whenever a high school student is not present in a class at least 90% of the time,

graduation credit for that class will be denied. All absences, excused and unexcused, count toward the 90%

attendance requirement. Parents who wish to appeal the denial of credit may do so.

Policy History:

Adopted on: 04/28/2009

Revised on: 11/15/2022

Revised on: 10/24/2023