Changes to High School Attendance Policy
By: Jenna Zibton
Updated: September 25, 2009
High school students will not be able to miss as many class days this year after a new policy is implemented soon in public schools.
Minden High School Assistant Principal Scott Martin keeps track of attendance. If a student doesn't show up for class he calls the parents. "We want to know why they're not here" he says.
More than 800 students go to school at Minden High and about 30 are absent on any given day. New legislation could mean fewer empty seats.
"I know that they're pushing accountability across the board. They want test scores higher, you know we all do. And in that you've got to be in school in order to be successful so that you can learn the material and master the curriculum and to do that you've got to be at school" says Minden Principal Robin Tucker.
The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education cut the number of student's unexcused absences from fifteen to ten. But they're still deciding when and how to implement the policy this year since school has already started.
"Parents are going to have to pay close attention to what's going on with their kids. They're not going to just be able to take the free day to shop or get their hair done" says Martin.
Every school has a different policy. In Minden absences are excused if students are sick, attending a funeral or on a case by case basis.
Minden High School Assistant Principal Scott Martin keeps track of attendance. If a student doesn't show up for class he calls the parents. "We want to know why they're not here" he says.
More than 800 students go to school at Minden High and about 30 are absent on any given day. New legislation could mean fewer empty seats.
"I know that they're pushing accountability across the board. They want test scores higher, you know we all do. And in that you've got to be in school in order to be successful so that you can learn the material and master the curriculum and to do that you've got to be at school" says Minden Principal Robin Tucker.
The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education cut the number of student's unexcused absences from fifteen to ten. But they're still deciding when and how to implement the policy this year since school has already started.
"Parents are going to have to pay close attention to what's going on with their kids. They're not going to just be able to take the free day to shop or get their hair done" says Martin.
Every school has a different policy. In Minden absences are excused if students are sick, attending a funeral or on a case by case basis.
