Maryland School Attendance Policies

[sonsorae]

I am trying to determine whether it is a state law that if a high school student misses more than 5 days (for a vacation) that they fail all the classes for the marking period. According to St. Mary's County School Board, it is a state law, but I can't find it in the COMAR while online searching for this particular regulation. Can anyone provide me with other resources that state in Maryland Law that if a student in high school misses more than 5 days (unlawful because it's considered a vacation).

 

[harleygirl]

I am trying to determine whether it is a state law that if a high school student misses more than 5 days (for a vacation) that they fail all the classes for the marking period. According to St. Mary's County School Board, it is a state law, but I can't find it in the COMAR while online searching for this particular regulation. Can anyone provide me with other resources that state in Maryland Law that if a student in high school misses more than 5 days (unlawful because it's considered a vacation).

I work for a private school, but I believe as long as you have a parent note explaining the days missed they are excused. I think the fail part comes in when the days missing are unexcused.

 

[sonsorae]

A vacation is considered unexcused at Leonardtown High School and to the St. Mary's County School Board if it is in excess of 5 days or more. Going to Hawaii for less than five days would seem useless!

 

[Tina2001aniT]

A vacation is considered unexcused at Leonardtown High School and to the St. Mary's County School Board if it is in excess of 5 days or more. Going to Hawaii for less than five days would seem useless!

I know in Calvert County it is four or more unexcused abscences, BUT you can get your vacation "approved" and make the abscences excused....

 

[alex]

I went through this with my kid at the end of a school year. You can write to the principal of the school requesting an waiver or approval of the abscence. It was such a hassle and the VP for his grade lied to me about him having to be there in the PM for finals when they were dismissing classes early! Now I just call and say we had an out of town family issue or something along those lines.

Isn't it a pain how much hassle they give you when you try to do the right thing and be honest? By the way, where are you going?

 

[sonsorae]

I thought the same thing too. Hopefully I can get this resolved before we leave.

 

[harleygirl]

A vacation is considered unexcused at Leonardtown High School and to the St. Mary's County School Board if it is in excess of 5 days or more. Going to Hawaii for less than five days would seem useless!

That is why you do not say vacation, you have to go out of town for a funeral. Yes, I know it is wrong to lie, but it works!!

 

[mrweb]

I am trying to determine whether it is a state law that if a high school student misses more than 5 days (for a vacation) that they fail all the classes for the marking period. According to St. Mary's County School Board, it is a state law, but I can't find it in the COMAR while online searching for this particular regulation. Can anyone provide me with other resources that state in Maryland Law that if a student in high school misses more than 5 days (unlawful because it's considered a vacation).

Here ya go:

Title 13A STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION Section 13A.08.01.03

.03 Lawful Absence.

Students presently enrolled in public schools are considered lawfully absent from school, including absence for any portion of the day, only under the following conditions:

A. Death in the immediate family. The local school system shall determine what relationships constitute the immediate family.

B. Illness of the student. The principal or a pupil personnel worker shall require a physician's certificate from the parent or guardians of a student reported continuously absent for illness.

C. Court summons.

D. Hazardous weather conditions. Hazardous weather conditions shall be interpreted to mean weather conditions which would endanger the health or safety of the student when in transit to and from school.

E. Work approved or sponsored by the school, the local school system, or the State Department of Education, accepted by the local superintendent of schools or the school principal, or their designees as reason for excusing the students.

F. Observance of a religious holiday.

G. State emergency.

H. Suspension.

I. Lack of authorized transportation. This does not include students denied authorized transportation for disciplinary reasons.

J. Other emergency or set of circumstances which, in the judgment of the superintendent or designee, constitutes a good and sufficient cause for absence from school.

 

[kwillia]

I went through this with my kid at the end of a school year. You can write to the principal of the school requesting an waiver or approval of the abscence. It was such a hassle and the VP for his grade lied to me about him having to be there in the PM for finals when they were dismissing classes early! Now I just call and say we had an out of town family issue or something along those lines.

Isn't it a pain how much hassle they give you when you try to do the right thing and be honest? By the way, where are you going?

All parents were put on notice that as of this year the leave policy was going to be enforced to the fullest. We were given verbal as well as written notice that our children would not be given "excused" absences for family vactations any longer.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

All parents were put on notice that as of this year the leave policy was going to be enforced to the fullest. We were given verbal as well as written notice that our children would not be given "excused" absences for family vactations any longer.

I think it's fair, too. That is why Summer's are for vacationing.

 

[kwillia]

I think it's fair, too. That is why Summer's are for vacationing.

I have heard that they are going to be rearranging the schedule next year to give a full week off for spring break, thus allowing time for a "mid-school-year" vacation should we want to plan for one.

 

[bresamil]

All parents were put on notice that as of this year the leave policy was going to be enforced to the fullest. We were given verbal as well as written notice that our children would not be given "excused" absences for family vactations any longer.

Yep. And they have also changed the calendars for the next few years to accommodate longer breaks for Christmas and Easter to allow families the opportunity to vacation at those times as well as the summer.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

I have heard that they are going to be rearranging the schedule next year to give a full week off for spring break, thus allowing time for a "mid-school-year" vacation should we want to plan for one.

That's an excellent idea! We're considering Disney next year and this would be the perfect time vs. August when it's boiling outside.

 

[kwillia]

Yep. And they have also changed the calendars for the next few years to accommodate longer breaks for Christmas and Easter to allow families the opportunity to vacation at those times as well as the summer.

APPROVED CALENDARS

 

[kwillia]

That's an excellent idea! We're considering Disney next year (kwillia's gonna hook us up...) and this would be the perfect time vs. August when it's boiling outside.

 

[alex]

In my case, we were only supposed to miss the last day of school. But our flights got changed by the airline and thus it was the last 2 days of school.

As for vacations in the summer - well not all of us can get off from work then. That is my busiest time and the prices go way up during the holidays. I think if the teacher is willing to let the kid make up the work and the trip is one of those once in a lifetime things like say to Europe it should be okay. Sorry, but trips to Disney just don't cut it for me as an excuse and I would never use it as one.

 

[sonsorae]

Thanks for all the help! Somehow I managed to get it approved because St. Mary's Director of Pupil Services has the authority to approve family trips based on circumstances. I guess our trip was acceptable!

 

[kwillia]

In my case, we were only supposed to miss the last day of school. But our flights got changed by the airline and thus it was the last 2 days of school.

In your case, even if your kid(s) received "unexcused" for those two 1/2 days (I realize they didn't), it shouldn't affect their grades because by then all school testing is completed, and all work is usually already handed in for the year.

As for vacations in the summer - well not all of us can get off from work then. That is my busiest time and the prices go way up during the holidays. I think if the teacher is willing to let the kid make up the work and the trip is one of those once in a lifetime things like say to Europe it should be okay. Sorry, but trips to Disney just don't cut it for me as an excuse and I would never use it as one.

It's no longer up to the individual teachers... they have taken the burden of decision off the shoulders of the teachers... work given while out "unexcused" cannot be made up. If you happen to have a teacher that works with you on this and accepts make-up work... consider yourself lucky because that teacher is breaking the rules.

 

[kwillia]

Thanks for all the help! Somehow I managed to get it approved because St. Mary's Director of Pupil Services has the authority to approve family trips based on circumstances. I guess our trip was acceptable!

Glad to see it can be worth the hassle to go through the approval process.

 

[starlight2]

I cannot believe that a "suspension" is legal!!! Go on your vacation and enjoy your family!!