Schools shall follow the following protocol when absences occur:

 

• First Truancy/unexcused absence (warning)

Parent/guardian shall be notified by the school principal or designee that the student was truant and the date of the truancy. Parent/guardian shall also be provided with a copy of Alabama’s compulsory school attendance laws and advised of the penalties that can be applied and the procedures that shall be followed in the event that other unexcused absences occur.

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• Second Truancy/unexcused absence                     (written notification)                            Parents will be sent a letter from the school notifying them of actions that will be taken by the school and courts should truancies continue.

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• Third truancy/unexcused absence

(School conference)​

Parents will participate in a truancy intervention conference at the school with the school principal and/or designee (counselor, social worker, lead teacher, etc..). The school files a truancy report with the County Attendance Officer.

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• Fourth Truancy/unexcused absence                 (district level intervention)            The County Attendance Office will notify parents or legal guardians of legal actions related to non-attendance.

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• Fifth Truancy/unexcused absence –            (referral to Early Warning Truancy                       Prevention Program)                 The parent, guardian, or person having control of the child shall attend a conference with the attendance officer and principal or his/her designee and/or participate in the early warning program provided by the juvenile court. Attendance at one of these conferences shall be mandatory except where prior arrangements have been made or an emergency exists. Failure to appear at the school conference and/or to appear at the early warning program may result in the filing of a complaint/petition against the parent under Code of Ala. 1975, §16-28-12(c) (failure to cooperate), or a truancy against the child, whichever is appropriate.

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• No earlier than seventh unexcused                              absence.                          File complaint/petition against the child and/or parent/guardian, if appropriate.

 

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Early Warning Program

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  1. Purpose: The Early Warning Program is a  school /community-based program to assist public school personnel, parents, and law enforcement personnel in providing for early intervention for children and youth who are truant or in danger of becoming truant. A child is truant if no explanation is provided for absences or the child is absent for reasons other than those recognized as excusable.

 2. Description: The Early Warning Program is a cooperative effort involving the Baldwin County Board of Education; Juvenile Court Services; and Community Agencies. Page 51 Baldwin County Board of Education Student and Parent Handbook Student Code of Conduct

 3. Procedure: Parents will be notified in writing of the date they are scheduled to attend the Early Warning Program. Per State Department guidelines, participation in the Early Warning Program is required.

 4. Truancies after Referral to Early Warning: Non-attendance of the Early Warning Program and/or subsequent truancies may result in a truancy petition (against student) or a contributing to truancy petition (against parent/guardian) to be filed with the Baldwin County Juvenile Court.

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• TENTH ABSENCE CODED EXCUSED:

Students who accumulate ten excused absences may also be required to attend the Early Warning Truancy Prevention Program. This action will require approval of the principal.