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Attendance
The Social Services Department’s primary goal is intervention and improving attendance within Houston County. The primary vehicle for this task is the Attendance Protocol. The protocol primarily tracks unexcused absences but allows us to monitor excessive excused absences as dictated by board policy. Please follow the links below for more information.
Code Section 20-2-690.1 O.C.G.A. – States in subsection (a) that every parent, guardian, or other person residing in the state having control of any school-age child or children between the age of six (6) and sixteen (16) shall enroll and send such child or children to school. Further, all children enrolled for 20 school days or more in the public schools of Houston County prior to their sixth (6th) birthday shall become subject to all provisions of this law. Any parent/guardian who fails to comply with the requirements of this policy and Georgia law shall be subject to sanctions imposed by the courts of Houston County.
Subsection (b) of that code section additionally states any parent, guardian or other person residing in the state who has control or charge of a child or children and who shall violate this code section shall be subject to a fine not less than $25 and not greater than $100, imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, community service, or any combination of such penalties at the discretion of the court having jurisdiction. Each day’s absence from school after proper notification of absences shall constitute a separate offence.
Georgia Code Section 40-5-22 O.C.G.A – (Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act) TAADRA states any student between the ages of 14 and 17 that misses 10 or more unexcused days from school in the current academic year can have his/her license suspended or may not be able to obtain a drivers license or instructional permit.
There are 3 main levels in the Attendance Protocol.
Level I
3 unexcused absences - teachers will contact the parents via email, phone, letter, or Attendance Conference Notification Form. The method used must be documented.
Level II
5 unexcused absences – the school administrator or designee will request the parents to come in for an Attendance Contract Meeting and sign the contract. If no contact is made with the parents at this point, the Social Services Secretary will send a certified letter requesting the parents to come to the school. At times, a Social Worker will conduct a home visit to have an Attendance Contract signed. The Attendance Contract is used to warn students 14-15 years of age about the danger of losing their drivers license if he/she accrues more than 10 unexcused absences. We also use a form to notify students 16-17 years of age at 5+ unexcused absences. Also, at 5 unexcused absences the Truancy Intervention Panel will meet with the student/parents.
Level III
8 unexcused absences – the school will notify the Social Services Department via Attendance Referral Form if a student violates the Attendance Contract and has accrued 8 unexcused absences. At this point, the Social Services Department will begin judicial proceedings in the appropriate court.
For more information, please contact the Social Services Department at 478-329-2227.
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