Skip To Main Content

Attendance Statement

 

Marshall County Board of Education Attendance Statement

The Marshall County Board of Education believes that good student attendance is essential to academic success. When students are absent, they miss valuable instructional time that cannot be fully recovered, impacting their learning and overall achievement.

Because of this, the Board equates regular school attendance with academic excellence and has established clear policies and procedures designed to encourage, support, and require consistent student attendance.

By fostering a culture of responsibility and engagement, we aim to ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Chronic Absenteeism

Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year—typically 18 or more days—for any reason, excused or unexcused.  Research shows that chronic absenteeism has serious consequences for students, including:

  • Lower academic achievement
  • Decreased engagement in school activities
  • Course failures
  • An increased risk of dropping out

Chronic absenteeism doesn't just affect academics—it can also lead to long-term social and emotional challenges. Students who consistently miss school may face social isolation, and over time, higher risks of violence, unemployment, relationship struggles, criminal activity, and even incarceration.

The good news: Chronic absenteeism is a solvable problem. By working together—schools, families, and communities—we can identify the root causes of frequent absences and support students in developing strong, consistent attendance habits that lead to lifelong success

Student Attendance Policy

All students enrolled in the district are required by Alabama’s Compulsory Attendance Laws to maintain continuous and punctual attendance at their assigned schools. Students must attend the school that corresponds with the attendance zone of their parent or guardian’s residence.

Consistent daily attendance is essential for academic success. It not only ensures students have the best opportunity to learn and grow but also helps develop life skills such as responsibility, time management, and commitment. Regular attendance supports a positive school experience and contributes to overall student achievement.

School administrators are committed to supporting good attendance and will work diligently to involve families, counselors, and community partners to promote this goal.

Excused Absences

Parents or guardians must provide the school with a written or electronic explanation for each student absence within three (3) school days of the student's return. This applies to both individual and consecutive absences.

If a written or electronic excuse is not received within the three-day window, the absence(s) will be recorded as unexcused in accordance with district policy.

Timely communication helps ensure accurate attendance records and supports students in remaining in good standing.

Unexcused Absences

Any absence that is not classified as excused will be recorded as an unexcused absence.

According to the Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 290-3-1-.02, a student with an unexcused absence is considered truant.

It is the parent’s or guardian’s legal responsibility to ensure that their child attends school regularly and to provide written or electronic documentation for each absence. The State of Alabama requires that this documentation be kept on file in order for the absence to be coded as excused.  Failure to submit appropriate documentation within the required timeframe will result in the absence remaining unexcused.

Truancy Prevention Program

To comply with state law and support consistent school attendance, the Marshall County Board of Education follows a structured Truancy Prevention Program.

When a student accumulates five (5) unexcused absences, a referral will be made by the Attendance Supervisor to the Juvenile Probation Office.

At that point, the student and their parent(s) or guardian(s) will be required to participate in the Early Warning Truancy Prevention Program, coordinated by the Juvenile Court.

  • The Juvenile Court will schedule and hold a mandatory conference for the student and their parent(s) or guardian(s).

This intervention is designed to address attendance concerns early and provide support and resources to families in order to prevent further absences and avoid legal consequences.

Truancy Enforcement

If a student accumulates seven (7) unexcused absences, the Attendance Supervisor will file a formal complaint with the District Attorney’s Office against the student’s parent or guardian for violation of the Alabama Compulsory Attendance Law.

This step is part of the district’s efforts to uphold state law and ensure that students receive the full benefit of their education. Legal action may include fines, mandated parenting classes, or other court-ordered interventions.

The goal of this enforcement process is not to punish, but to emphasize the importance of regular school attendance and to support families in removing barriers that may be preventing a child from attending school consistently.