Attendance Matters

  • Compulsory School Attendance

    Florida law requires each parent of a child from six to sixteen years of age to be responsible for the child's school attendance. Students who have attained the age of 16 years and who have not graduated are subject to compulsory school attendance until the student, or parent of a student who is less than eighteen (18) years of age, files with the School Board a formal declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment. One of the strongest foundations for school success is regular school attendance. Without regular and consistent attendance, the student misses vital instruction with regard to subject matter introduction, concept formation and sequential learning, which can cause many students to fall behind in their understanding and comprehension. This, in turn, can cause their grades to be lower and lessens the prospect of school being a positive place. The habitual absence of a child from school is considered sufficient to show that this law has been violated. The student must be physically present at the school to which he or she has been assigned or physically present at an educational activity that constitutes part of the approved school program for that student. 

    Florida Statute 1003.24 defines the responsibility of parents for the attendance of their child at school and requires them to provide an explanation for any absence from school. If a student has unauthorized absences sufficient to jeopardize academic progress, and it is determined that the student's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are at fault for the absence, in accordance with F.S. 1003.24, the procedures under Florida Statutes 1003.26 and 1003.27 shall be followed by the appropriate school personnel.