Student Attendance
Student Attendance and Truancy: What You Need to Know for the School Year
As Richland One continually works to improve academic achievement, it is important that parents and guardians recognize that attending school daily and maintaining a strong attendance record is essential to their child’s success in school. Please note these important facts about student attendance:
- The South Carolina Compulsory Attendance law SECTION 59-65-10 requires that a child attend school from the school year in which the child is 5 years old before September 1 until the child is 17.
- A child, at least 6 years old but not yet 17, who has three unexcused absences in a row or a total of five unexcused absences at any point in the school year, is truant and in violation of the South Carolina Compulsory School Attendance Law.
- The law also states that once a child is found to be truant, the parent/guardian must work with the school to develop an attendance intervention plan (AIP).
- Anytime a student is absent, the parent or guardian must provide a written note to the school explaining the absence within 48 hours of the child returning to school.
- Students may be referred to the school social worker or other support service staff for excessive excused/unexcused absences.
- Parents also can check their child’s attendance by logging into the Parent Portal.
The Law and School policy
In accordance with the South Carolina Compulsory School Attendance Law, Richland School District One has adopted Policy JHB Student Attendance and Truancy to ensure that students attend school regularly. Students are counted present only when they are actually in school, receiving homebound instruction, or are present at an activity authorized by the school principal. A student is considered in attendance when present for at least 50 percent of a school day.
In-Person Attendance
All children who reach their fifth birthday before September 1st are required by SC Law to attend a public or private school or kindergarten until they reach their 17th birthday. Parents may choose a home school accredited by the Home School Association instead of enrolling them in a public or private school. Any student who misses school must present a written excuse, signed by his or her parent or legal guardian or a health care professional, for all absences within two days of the student's return to school. Pre-K parents of Richland One sign the Pre-Kindergarten Handbook which includes the attendance requirements for school.
Virtual Attendance
Attendance is determined by whether a student logs on, submits work and participates in activities assigned by the teacher.
Students who log on, submit work on time, and participate as instructed will be considered present. Students who do not log on, turn in assignments and participate in virtual learning activities as outlined by the Richland One Virtual School Program will be considered absent.
For more information visit Richland One Virtual School Program's website.
Written notes/excuses must be submitted by the parent or a doctor’s office. You may also email your child's school a copy of a medical note directly to the database specialist/attendance secretary at your child's school.
Truancy
A child, ages 6 to 17 years, is considered truant when the child has three consecutive unlawful absences or five or more unlawful absences.
Attendance Intervention Plan (AIP) Meetings
When a student is truant, the parent/guardian and/or student will be asked to attend a meeting to develop an Attendance Intervention Plan. If the student continues to accumulate unexcused absences after the attendance plan is in place, the school will file a petition and the parent/guardian and student 12 years and over will be required to appear before a judge in family court.
If placed under a court order, the student and parent must follow all requirements of the court order to avoid being in contempt of court. If a contempt of court is filed and the parent/guardian is found guilty, he/she can be fined $50.00 and put in jail for each day that the student has an unexcused absence.
High School Credit and Seat Time
The school year consists of 180 days. To receive credit for high school courses or middle school courses taken for graduation credit: students must meet academic and attendance requirements. For students who receive a final grade of “FA” due only to absences beyond the limit allowed for the course, Richland One allows seat time recovery. Students must attend at least 85 days for each 90-day semester course. Students must attend at least 170 days for each 180-day year-long course (for those courses that meet daily). Students must attend at least 175 days for each 180-day year-long course (for those courses that meet on only an A Day or a B Day).
Excused or Unexcused Absences and Seat Time Recovery
If a student exceeds allowable absences, seat time recovery is required to fulfill the 120-hour Carnegie Unit Seat Time mandate. The following number of excused/unexcused absences are allowed:
- For 90-day semester courses, the limit is 5 excused/unexcused absences.
- For 180-day year-long courses that meet each day, the limit is 10 excused/unexcused absences.
- For 180-day year-long courses that meet on either an A day or B day, the limit is 5 excused/unexcused absences.
- For 45-day quarter courses, the limit is 3 excused/unexcused absences.
Questions About Seat Time & Credit Recovery?
Talk with your principal and school counselor for assistance about the rules for making up seat time.
Students will be considered lawfully absent when:
- Cases of extended or chronic illness with a doctor's excuse
- Doctor's or Dental Appointments
- Contagious illness that could spread to students and staff
- Serious illness or death in a student's family
- Recognized religious holidays
- School-related activities
- Short-term suspensions from school
A parent note may excuse up to 10 lawful Absences per year.
Students will be considered unlawfully absent when:
- The student does not attend school without a good reason and without the parent or guardian's knowledge
- Any reason not listed under "Excused Absences"
Attendance Matters
Student attendance plays a critical role in academic success. Whether an absence is excused or unexcused, the impact on a student’s ability to stay on track for on-time graduation remains the same—missed classroom time means missed learning opportunities. Simply put, students benefit most when they are present and engaged in class.
We encourage families and schools to work in partnership to support student success. When children see that both parents and educators prioritize education, they gain a stronger understanding of the importance of consistent attendance and academic commitment.
For additional information regarding school attendance laws and policies, please contact our office at 803-231-6757.