Everything you need to know about the updated KCPS attendance policy.
Why regular attendance is important
Per state law, parents must ensure all students ages 7-17 attend school.
KCPS strongly encourages all students to attend school and class on a regular basis.
By doing so, students:
- Don't miss important classroom time.
- Avoid delays in learning caused by make-up work
- Obtain needed practice and skill development
- Improve their chances of high achievement
- Learn the importance of discipline and dedication
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Key points of the KCPS attendance policy
Attendance
- Grades K-6: A student who misses more than 15 days in the school year may be retained in the same grade
- Grades 7-12: Straight Scheduling - Students may receive failing grades in courses for which they miss eight (8) days in a school semester.
Tardies
- Any student who is five minutes late to class is tardy and must report to the attendance office.
- If a student is detained by the school office or teacher, he or she must obtain a pass from that person or receive an unexcused tardy.
- Failure to serve a detention for excessive tardies may result in additional detentions.
Make-up work
- Upon return to school, a student will be given 24 hours to request his or her make-up work.
- Make-up work will be provided upon request for all absences. Grades will not be reduced unless turned in late.
- Elementary students will have their make-up work arranged and assigned by the teacher and will be given 48 hours to complete the work.
- At the secondary level, it is the responsibility of the student and/or parent/guardian to make arrangements for securing work missed due to absences and suspensions. Student will be given one (1) day for each day absent to complete his/her make-up work. Grades on make-up work will not be reduced unless turned in late.
- The building principal will make a determination of make-up coursework for students who are deemed absent.
City truancy ordinance
- Students under the age of 16 found outside of school during regular class hours will be penalized.
- The first offense will result in a warning issued to parents, guardians, or anyone having control or custody of the offending child.
- Two or more offenses could result in a fine of up to $500 or entrance into a pretrial diversion program.
More detailed information about the attendance policy can be found in the student handbook beginning on page 28.