FEC(LEGAL) - ATTENDANCE: ATTENDANCE FOR CREDIT

Absences Considered

In order to receive credit or a final grade for a class, a student is required to attend class 90 percent of the days class is offered regardless of whether the student's absences are excused [see FEA] or unexcused. Atty. Gen. Op. JC-0398 (2001)

A student's excused absence under Education Code 25.087(b)(3) [see FEA] may not be considered in determining whether the student has satisfied the attendance requirement under the 90 percent rule. Education Code 25.092(a-3)

90 Percent Rule

Except as provided below, a student in any grade level from kindergarten through grade 12 shall not be given credit or a final grade for a class unless the student is in attendance 90 percent of the days the class is offered. This restriction does not affect a student's right to excused absences to observe religious holy days [see FEA] and does not apply to a student who receives credit by examination for a class as provided by Education Code 28.023. [See EHDC]

Principal's Plan

A student who is in attendance for at least 75 percent but less than 90 percent of the days a class is offered may be given credit or a final grade if the student completes a plan approved by the school's principal that provides for the student to meet the instructional requirements of the class. However, a student under the jurisdiction of a court in a criminal or juvenile justice proceeding may not receive credit or a final grade without the consent of the judge presiding over the student's case.

Extenuating Circumstances

An attendance committee may give class credit or a final grade to a student because of extenuating circumstances. A board shall establish guidelines for determining what constitutes extenuating circumstances.

A board shall adopt policies that establish alternative ways for students to make up work or regain credit or a final grade lost because of absences. The alternative ways must include at least one option that does not require a student to pay a fee. The availability of such option must be substantially the same as the availability of the educational program for which a district may charge a fee. [See FP]

Attendance Committee

A board shall appoint one or more attendance committees to hear petitions for class credit or a final grade by students who have not met the 90 percent rule and have not earned class credit or a final grade by completing a principal's plan. Classroom teachers shall comprise a majority of the attendance committee.

Appeal

If the committee denies a student credit or a final grade, the student may appeal the decision to the board. A board's decision may be appealed to the district court of the county in which the district's central administrative office is located.

Additional Duties

A certified employee may not be assigned additional instructional duties as a result of the above provision outside of the regular workday unless the employee is compensated for the duties at a reasonable rate of pay.

Education Code 25.092

Iredell ISD

FEC(LEGAL)-P

UPDATE 118

DATE ISSUED: 10/20/2021