Anoka-Hennepin announces updates to attendance procedures
(08/23/19) Regular attendance in school is essential to the success of all students. While some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances, regular absences can cause students to fall behind academically.
Attendance is also a new accountability measure being implemented in Minnesota via the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Details on ESSA can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education website.
If a student attends 90 percent or more of the time they are enrolled, they are considered consistently attending. Missing six days per trimester, regardless of the reason, equals chronic absenteeism.
Absences for personal, illness, religious, or other reasons must include a valid reason from a parent or guardian. If a student misses more than 10 percent of school days, all future absences may be considered unexcused, regardless of the reason, per principal discretion. Healthcare provider documentation or assessment by a school nurse may be required for excessive absences.
Accumulated unexcused absences may classify a student as “continuing truant” under Minnesota State statute. If this occurs, parents/guardians will receive a written notice from the school.
If your child will be absent, arrive late, or leave early, please call the school attendance line. School attendance lines can be reached 24 hours a day with the option for parents/guardians to leave messages. For more information on attendance, review pages 6-7 in the Anoka-Hennepin policy handbook.