Attendance Roadmap and Glossary
We’re excited to share with you information that breaks down the various attendance notices you might receive from our school and/or district and the various terms used in them. No more deciphering hieroglyphics on these notices!
Understanding terms like “Truancy,” “Unexcused Absences,” and “SART” can make your life a whole lot easier. Use this information as your go-to guide, and the notices help you stay informed and on top of your child’s school attendance.
Roadmap for Attendance Notices in RCSD
Unexcused Absence Notices
- Truancy Letter 1 – Generates after 3 unexcused absences (which classifies a child as truant)
- Truancy Letter 2 – Generates after 6 unexcused absences with conference invite and notification of School Attendance Review Team (SART)
- Truancy Letter 3 – Generates after 9 unexcused absences (which classifies a child as habitually truant)
- Truancy Letter 4 – Generates after 12 unexcused absences with conference invite and notification of District Attendance Review Team (DART)
Excused Absence Notices
- Excessive Excused 1 – Generates after 5 excused absences
- Excessive Excused 2 – Generates after 10 excused absences
Chronic Absence Notice
- Chronic Letter – Generates after a student has missed 10% of the school year and has at least 9 absences
Glossary of Attendance Terms
Truant/Truancy
A child is classified as truant when they have missed thirty minutes or more of instruction on three separate days without a valid reason.
Chronically Absent
A child is chronically absent when they have missed 10% of the school year. This includes all absences (excused, unexcused, suspensions, physician, notes, etc.).
Excused Absence
Absences that can be considered excused per EdCode are:
- Personal illness or injury
- Personal medical or dental appointments
- Funeral of immediate family member
- Quarantine under the direction of health officer
- Religious observance
A doctor’s note is required after 10 excused absences (please refer to online handbooks available on school websites for most current policies).
Unexcused Absence
Absences that do not meet the requirement of an excused absence are considered an unexcused absence.
School Attendance Review Team (SART)
SART is a School Site Team which brings together parent(s)/guardian(s), the student, the site principal, and any other administration and attendance support staff. The goal of this team is to identify possible solutions to improving the students’ attendance.
District Attendance Review Team (DART)
DART is a District Team which brings together parent(s)/guardian(s), the student, a District Office staff member, the site principal, and any other administration and attendance support staff. The goal of this team is to provide additional support to identify possible solutions to improving the students’ attendance.