Under Georgia Law (O.C.G.A. Section 20-2-690.1), it is mandatory for all children between the age of 6 and 16 to maintain regular school attendance. As a district, we are required to inform families of the attendance for all enrolled students. 

• CCSD requires families to submit written documentation to excuse absences within five days of the student’s return to school. 

• To be considered “in attendance” for a school day, a student must be present for at least one- half of the school day, excluding the lunch period. Students leaving school before meeting that requirement will be considered absent for the day.

• The State of Georgia considers any child subject to compulsory attendance as truant when they accumulate more than five days of unexcused absences during a school calendar year.

CCSD recognizes the importance of building relationships between the school and community to improve academic and social outcomes for all students. We also recognize the relationship between student attendance, student performance, and school climate. As a result, CCSD has created a District Student Attendance Protocol to address attendance, truancy, and school climate. 

Families are encouraged to collaborate with school staff to identify meaningful ways to engage and support their student(s) for optimal school success.

This protocol is designed to ensure compliance with Georgia Code §20-2-690.1 regarding Mandatory Education for Children between ages 6 and 16; Georgia Code §20-2-690.2 regarding the Establishment of Student Attendance and School Climate Committee; Georgia State Board of Education Attendance Rule 160-5-1-.10; and Clarke County School District Policy JB-Student Attendance.

This protocol includes the following: 

Prior to the start of the school year, each school will:

1. Compile a list of students with 15 or more unexcused absences during the previous school year and develop a process to improve attendance.

2. Develop school-wide attendance goals to share with staff, students, families, and the community.

3. Develop and implement attendance initiatives and recognition programs to promote student attendance.

4. Identify and engage community partners to support attendance initiatives.

During the school year, each school will: 

1. Record and monitor daily attendance. 

2. Contact caregiver/guardian in-person, by phone, mail, text or email when students accumulate five (5) absences or three (3) consecutive absences.

3. Letters will be sent to parents/guardians when students have incurred 5 and 10 unexcused absences. 

4. Parents/guardians of students who accumulate 10 unexcused absences will be invited to participate in a meeting to discuss ongoing attendance concerns and any other barriers impacting school success.

5. If a student continues to accumulate unexcused absences, they will be referred to the Athens-Clarke County CHINS (Children in Need of Support) Committee.