In 2013, changes to the regulations regarding school absences meant that head teachers could no longer authorise term-time holidays. As a consequence of this parents who wish to take their children on holiday during term-time are now liable for a fixed penalty notice. This policy has been the subject of a number of legal challenges, most notably…

This paper examines attendance accounting policies and practices for students enrolled in public schools in Texas and in alternative schools of choice (ASC) in particular. Technology advancement allows students to complete their coursework virtually anywhere they have internet access; however, conventional state attendance policies still require…

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to investigate whether having a graded attendance policy would have an effect on course attendance among college students, and (b) to examine beliefs about education and attendance policies among college students. Results support the utility of graded attendance policies for increasing class attendance…

For the 1982-83 school year, the Austin (Texas) Public Schools adopted a high school attendance policy allowing a maximum of 10 absences per semester for course credit to be earned. Under this policy, Austin's high school attendance rose to an all-time high of 93.5 percent in 1983-84. In 1984-85, education reform mandated by the Texas Legislature…

From 1981 through 1983, 32 schools in 28 districts participated in the pilot study authorized by California's School Attendance Improvement Act. On the basis of that study, the first of this report's two chapters offers six steps for a comprehensive approach to improving attendance: (1) assessing actual attendance, (2) developing policies and…

School policy on teenage pregnancy must take into account a variety legal considerations. Up until recently, the favored way of dealing with pregnant pupils or pupils who are mothers was to exclude them from school. Several law cases involving instances of exclusion and segregation of pregnant pupils are cited. The 14th Amendment's guarantee of…

This report provides a summary of the results of a survey intended to gather firsthand information concerning truancy and absenteeism in Illinois schools. The report includes data on attendance patterns and policies in various Illinois school districts, legal actions taken by the districts in response to truant behavior, ratings of assistance…

The Supreme Court's denomination of education as a property interest protected by the fourteenth amendment is examined along with its application of the fourteenth amendment's prohibition of the deprivation of liberty without due process to school discipline. The issues unresolved by Goss v. Lopez and its effects on school administrative actions…

This survey sought information regarding the policies of school districts across the nation on entrance requirements to kindergarten and the first grade. The school systems were classified under four strata according to total enrollment size. The most frequently reported minimum entrance age for kindergarten was 5 years of age by December 1. For…

In recent years, provincial laws in Alberta, Canada, have required children of certain ages to attend school. A legal issue related to attendance that is seldom addressed in provincial legislation is the definition of nonattendance. Many jurisdictions in the United States offer statutory definitions of truancy that range from 3 to 10 days' absence…

This procedures manual is intended to provide guidance to Maine school officials for developing strategies and policies to assure regular attendance of students in school. Part 1 examines factors affecting school attendance, noting that the school and home may serve as enablers for the student who becomes unaccountable for attendance. These…

This handbook details methods Pennsylvania school districts might adopt in order to meet State attendance regulations. Following a brief introduction, a list of general topic references in the law is given as an aid to awareness of the variety of issues addressed by statute and regulation. Next, guidelines are presented for developing school…

Reviews recent court decisions regarding whether individuals with contagious diseases may be barred from public schools. Devotes specific attention to the issue of whether certain communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) can be classified as handicaps and thereby qualify a person for protection…

Presents guidelines for dealing with emotionally disturbed students on campus, illustrated by appropriate legal cases. Administrators and counselors must decide if the student poses a threat and may have the responsibility to warn a forseeable victim. Admissions and readmissions policies are also discussed in light of legal requirements. (JAC)