Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Attendance Handbook for
School Personnel
2008-2009
August 1, 2008
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Table of Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................... 3
2008-09 Attendance Guidelines ....................................................................... 4
School Attendance Responsibilities:
Administrator ........................................................................................... 5
Attendance Manager ............................................................................... 6
Elementary Teacher ................................................................................ 7
Secondary Teacher ................................................................................. 8
School Social Worker .............................................................................. 9
Attendance Intervention Assistance Team Process ........................................ 10
Forms and Letters ..................................................................................... 11-22
Community Resource Directory ................................................................. 25-35
DOE Entry and Withdrawal Codes ............................................................ 36-39
Student Code of Conduct - Attendance Policies and Procedures .............. 40-42
Polk County Schools Head Lice Policy ...................................................... 43-48
Florida Statutes ......................................................................................... 49-58
2008 – 2009 School Social Work School Assignments.............................. 59-61
Page 2
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
INTRODUCTION
This handbook has been prepared to supply school based personnel with procedures,
information, and forms necessary to address attendance issues at the school level. Original
policy documents are included as resource materials.
Page 3
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
2008-2009 ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES

Utilize ConnectEd for attendance notification.

Utilize Elegrade codes in elementary schools (A = Excused Absence; U = Unexcused
Absence; S = Suspended; T = Tardy).

Utilize Pinnacle codes in secondary schools (A = Excused Absence; AU = Unexcused
Absence; I = ISS; O = OSS; T = Excused Tardy; TU = Unexcused Tardy).

Notify the school nurse of sick students returning to school without a doctor’s note (when
the family has been notified that a doctor’s excuse is needed to return to school).

Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate interventions for dropout, non-attending, truant
and tardy students. All interventions must be documented.

Run Entry/Withdrawal (Dem009) report (on a regular basis) to follow up on students who
withdraw from school and fail to enroll in another school (W02 and W26 codes).

Monitor WO2 and W26 to ensure enrollment at a new school.

Exhaust all school based resources before contacting School Social Worker to conduct
address verifications.
Page 4
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
Administrator

Implement school attendance policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state
statute and district policies. (Substitute teacher procedures for attendance will need to
be included).

Appoint an Attendance Manager.

Designate school staff to participate in the Attendance Intervention Assistance Team.

Ensure that all appropriate staff members are instructed in the proper recording of
attendance.

Ensure that accurate daily attendance is taken by all teachers.

Make sure that attendance codes are reported correctly.

Record message for ConnectEd calls with directions for parent to call the school.
 Utilize ConnectEd for notification of nonattendance.
Page 5
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
Attendance Manager

Develop a system to ensure teachers are notified of all communication from parents for
purposes of attendance documentation.

Update Genesis records for ConnectEd messages for after hours calling.

Run weekly Genesis reports (ATD 019) of excused/unexcused absences and tardies.

Notify teachers of students exhibiting patterns of nonattendance.

Send attendance letters to parents at prescribed times. Document letters were sent.

Collect attendance documentation from teachers.

Refer to School Social Worker.
 Continue to monitor and document student attendance and tardies.
Page 6
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
Elementary Teacher

Record daily attendance utilizing Elegrade at the start of class. Students must be present
for more than 50% of the day to be counted present. Elegrade Attendance Codes are as
follows:
P - Present
S - Suspensions
A - Excused Absence
T – Tardy
U - Unexcused Absence

Contact the parent when an explanation/excuse is not received for a student’s absence.

Document all parent contacts regarding attendance matters to include: letters in the
agenda; telephone calls; and conferences.

Refer excessive absences to the school’s attendance manager for further intervention.
 Allow students to make up work in accord with the Code of Student Conduct.
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Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
Secondary Teacher

Record daily attendance utilizing Pinnacle at the start of each class period. Pinnacle
Attendance Codes are as follows:
A - Excused absence
S - Out of school suspension
T - Excused tardy
AU - Unexcused absence
I - In school suspension
TU - Unexcused tardy

Consult with the School Attendance Manager regarding the reason for a student’s absence.

Document all parent contacts regarding attendance matters to include: letters in the
agenda, telephone calls, and conferences.

Refer excessive absences to the school’s Attendance Manager for further intervention.
 Allow students to make up work in accord with the Code of Student Conduct.
Page 8
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
School Social Worker

Consult with school personnel on a regularly scheduled basis.

Make home visits or telephone calls to the family.

Assist the family in locating community resources.

Consult with appropriate school/community agency personnel.

Schedule the Attendance Intervention Assistance Team (IAT) meeting.

Monitor and follow up on interventions developed during Attendance IAT meeting.

Notify agency case manager if attendance issues are unresolved while the student is under
the supervision of another agency.

Facilitate court procedures for truancy as appropriate.
Page 9
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Attendance Intervention Assistance Team Process

Consists of a multi-disciplinary team appointed by the Principal and comprised of key
school personnel. This team may include but is not limited to the teacher(s), school social
worker, guidance counselor, attendance manager, parent(s), school health nurse, school
psychologist, and other school or community personnel.

Reviews academic, behavioral, medical and other relevant data.

Determines reasons for non attendance and tardiness.

Utilizes the problem solving process to address reasons for non attendance or tardiness.

Develops interventions based on identified needs and designates team members
responsible for implementation.

Completes the Attendance Intervention Assistance Team record.

Monitors intervention implementation and remediation.

Evaluates effectiveness of interventions.
 Links to community agencies or resources as appropriate.
Page 10
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
ELEMENTARY ATTENDANCE CONTRACT (ON SCHOOL LETTERHEAD)
Student’s Name:
ID#:
This contract is to inform parents/guardians of student attendance policies at (school)
. As the parent/guardian, I
acknowledge my awareness of the following student attendance requirements:
1. Florida Statute 1003.26 requires regular school attendance of children between the ages of 6
and 16.
2. Florida Statute 1003.24 makes parents and legal guardians responsible, and criminally liable,
for ensuring that their children attend school.
3. It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the school of the student’s absences.
4. Polk County Schools can require a doctor’s note to excuse absences if a child has exhibited a
pattern of nonattendance.
5. Referral to a School Social Worker for assistance may be made if a child presents a pattern of
nonattendance.
6. Parents may be required to attend school meetings to discuss patterns of nonattendance.
Parent’s Signature
School Official Signature
Printed Name
Printed Name
Date
Date
Page 11
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Contrato de Asistencia Escolar Primaria (on school
letterhead)
Nombre del estudiante:
ID#:
Este contrato es para informarle a padres/guardianes de las polizas de asistencia
escolar estudiantil en la escuela
. Como padre/guardian, yo afirmo que estoy
consciente de los siguientes requisitos de asistencia escolar estudiantil:
1. La Ley de Florida 1003.26 requiere asistencia regular a la escuela para ninos entre las edades
de 6 a 16.
2. La Ley de Florida 1003.24 hace padres y guardianes legalmente responsable de que sus hijos
asistan a la escuela.
3. Es la responsabilidad de los padres de notificar la escuela de las ausencias del estudiante
4. Las escuelas del Condado de Polk pueden requirir notas del doctor para escusar ausencias si
un nino/a ha demonstrado un patron de ausencias.
5. La escuela puede referir su hijo/a a un Trabajador Social Escolar para ayuda si su hijo/a
demuestra un patron de ausencias.
6. La presencia de los padres se podra requirir a reuniones en la escuela para discutir el patron
de ausencias.
Firma de Padre/Guardian
Firma de Oficial Escolar
Nombre en Letra de Molde
Nombre en Letra de Molde
Fecha
Fecha
Page 12
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
MIDDLE/HIGH ATTENDANCE CONTRACT
(ON SCHOOL LETTERHEAD)
Student’s Name:
ID#:
The following contract is to inform all parties of the student attendance policies at
(school)
. All parties acknowledge
awareness of the following student attendance requirements:
1. By law I am required to attend school until I reach the age of 16, and to the age of 18 if my
parents do not sign a waiver for me to drop out.
2. Students between the ages of 16 – 18 years must comply with compulsory attendance
requirements unless the Declaration of Intent to Terminate School Enrollment Form has been
completed.
3. Terminating school enrollment prior to graduation has been shown to negatively impact career
opportunities and earnings.
4. Students (under the age of 18) will have driving privileges revoked or suspended for
nonattendance.
5. Florida law requires high school students be present in class to receive credit. A passing grade
alone does not meet this requirement.
6. Florida Statute 1003.24 makes parents and legal guardians responsible, and criminally liable,
for ensuring their children attend school.
7. Polk County Schools can require a doctor’s note to excuse absences if my child has exhibited a
pattern of nonattendance.
8. Referral to the School Social Worker for assistance may be made when there is a pattern of
nonattendance.
9. Parents may be required to attend school meetings to discuss patterns of nonattendance.
Student’s Signature
Parent’s Signature
School Signature
Printed Name
Printed Name
Printed Name
Date:
Date:
Date:
Page 13
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Contrato de Asistencia Escolar Secundaria
(on school letterhead)
Nombre del estudiante:
ID#:
El siguiente contrato es para informarle a todos involucrados de las polizas de asistencia
estudiantil en la escuela
. Todos involucrados afirman que estan consiente de los
siguientes requisitos de asistencia estudiantil:
1. Por ley, yo estoy requirido de asistir a la escuela hasta que cumpla 16 anos de edad y hasta la edad de
18, si mis padres/guardianes no firman un permiso para poder dejar la escuela.
2. Estudiantes entre las edades de 16 y 18 anos deberan seguir los requisitos de asistencia compulsatoria
a menos que se complete la Declaracion de Intento a Terminar el Ingreso Escolar----.
3. Terminando la escuela antes de graduacion se ha demonstrado a impactar negativamente mis opciones
de carerras e ingreso.
4. Estudiantes (menor de la edad de 18) tendran sus privilegios de conducir suspendidos por las ausencias.
5. La ley de Florida require estudiantes de escuela secundaria a estar presente en clase para recibir
credito. Solamente una calificacion satifactoria no va a cunplir con el requerimiento.
6. La Ley de Florida 1003.24 hace padres y guardianes legalmente responsables de asegurar que sus
hijos/as asistan a la escuela.
7. Las escuelas del Condado de Polk pueden requirir una nota del doctor para escusar ausencias si mi
hijo/a ha demostrado un patron de ausencias.
8. La escuela puede referir su hijo/a un Trabajador Social Escolar para ayuda si su hijo/a demuestra un
patron de ausencias
9. La presencia de los padres puede ser requirida a reuniones en la escuela para discutir patrones de
ausencias que pueden estar comenzando.
Firma del Estudiante
Firma del Padre/Guardian
Firma de la Escuela
Nombre en Letra de Molde
Nombre en Letra de Molde
Nombre en Letra de Molde
Fecha:
Fecha:
Fecha:
Page 14
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Sample Attendance Letter #1 Requiring Doctor’s Note
School Letterhead
Date:
To the Parents/Guardian of
:
Florida Statute 1003.26 requires regular school attendance of children between the ages of 6
and 16. The Polk County School District takes pride in offering quality education to all
students, and believes that regular school attendance is a very important part of educational
success.
Our records indicate that your child has been absent
days during this school year. For
all future absences to be marked excused, you must provide a doctor’s note.
Parents and school staff can work together in many ways to improve attendance and academic
achievement. If you feel you have received this information in error or wish to speak with
someone regarding this matter, please contact the school.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Principal
Page 15
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Sample Spanish Attendance Letter #1 Requiring Doctor’s
Note (School Letterhead)
Fecha:
A los Padres/Guardianes de:
La Ley de Florida 1003.26 requiere asistencia regular a la escuela de ninos/as entre la edad
de 6 a 16. El Distrito Escolar del Condado de Polk tiene orgullo en ofrecer educacion de
calidad a todos sus estudiantes y cree que asistencia regular a la escuela es una parte bien
importante del exito educacional.
Nuestros expedients indican que su hijo/ja has estado ausente
dias durante este ano
escolar. Para poder escusar cualquier futura ausencia, usted debera proveer una nota o
escusa del doctor.
Padres y facultad escolar pueden trabajar juntos en varias maneras para mejorar asistencia
escolar y progreso academico. Si usted cree que ha recibido esta informacion en error o
desea hablar con alguien sobre este caso, favor de comunicarse con la escuela.
Gracias por su asistencia
Sinceramente,
Principal
Page 16
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Sample Attendance Letter #2 for Five Unexcused
Absences (School Letterhead)
Date:
To the Parents/Guardians of
:
Florida Law requires all children to attend school regularly. Legal actions may be taken
against the parent and/or the student for nonattendance. The Polk County School District
takes pride in offering quality education to all students, and believes that regular school
attendance is a very important part of educational success.
I am sure that you are concerned about your child’s future, and understand the important role
that regular school attendance will play. Each time your child is absent from class, they miss
important instruction and assignments. School records indicate that your child has been
absent
days of school this school year.
of the days are unexcused. Attempts
have been made by school personnel to assist you in addressing your child’s attendance
issues. If your child’s attendance problems continue, a School Social Worker will be assigned
to provide further assistance.
Parents and school staff can work together in many ways to improve attendance and
achievement. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you would like to speak with
someone regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
Principal
Page 17
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Spanish Attendance Letter #2 for Five Unexcused
Absences (School Letterhead)
Fecha:
A los Padres/Guardianes de
:
La Ley de Florida requiere que todos los ninos/as asistan a la escuela regularmente. Accion
legal puede ser tomada en contra del padre y/o el estudiante por no asistir a la escuela. El
Distrito Escolar del Condado de Polk tiene orgullo en ofrecer educacion de calidad a todos
estudiantes, y cree que asistencia regular a la escuela es una parte bien importante del exito
educacional.
Estoy seguro que usted esta preocupado sobre el futuro de su hijo/a y entiende la importancia
que juega la asistencia regular a la escuela. Cade ves que su hijo esta ausente de la escuela,
pierde intruccion y asignaciones importantes. Expedients escolares indican que su hijo/a ha
estado ausente
dias de escuela en este ano escolar.
de estos dias han sido sin
escusa. Intentos han sido echo por personas y facultad de la escuela para ayudar con los
problemas de asistencia escolar de su hijo/a. Si los problemas de asistencia escolar de su
hijo/a continuan, se le asignara a usted un Trabajador Social Escolar para proveerle ayuda
adicional.
Padres y facultad escolar pueden trabajar juntos en varias maneras para mejorar asistencia
escolar y progreso academico. Por favor no se apure en comunicarse con la escuela si usted
desea hablar con alguna persona sobre este caso.
Sinceramente,
Principal
Page 18
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Sample Attendance Letter #3
School Letterhead
Date:
Re: School Nonattendance
To the Parents/Guardians of
:
Florida Law requires all children to attend school regularly. Legal actions may be taken
against the parent and/or the student for nonattendance. The Polk County School District
takes pride in offering quality education to all students, and believes that regular school
attendance is a very important part of educational success.
School records indicate that your child has been absent
of the days are unexcused.
days of school this school year.
Since your child’s pattern of nonattendance has continued, a School Social Worker will be
contacting you. Further interventions, up to and including legal action, will be forthcoming if
the attendance issue is not resolved.
Your prompt attention to this matter will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Principal
Page 19
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Spanish Attendance Letter #3
School Letterhead
Fecha:
Re: Ausencias Escolares
A los Padres/Guardianes de
:
La Ley de Florida requiere que todos los ninos/as asistan a la escuela regularmente. Accion
legal puede ser tomada en contra del padre y/o el estudiante por no asistir a la escuela. El
Distrito Escolar del Condado de Polk tiene orgullo en ofrecer educacion de calidad a todos
estudiantes y cree que asistencia regular a la escuela es una parte bien importante del exito
educacional.
Expediantes escolares indican que su hijo/a ha estado ausente
ano escolar.
de los dias han sido sin escusa.
dias de escuela en este
Porque el patron de ausencias de su hijo/a a continuado, se estara comunicando con usted un
Trabajador Social Escolar. Intervenciones addiocionales, incluyendo accion legal, occurriran si
los problemas de asistencia escolar no se resuelven.
Sinceramente,
Principal
Page 20
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Attendance Committee Recommendations
Students Name:
DOB:
Student I.D.#:
Parent/Guardian’s Name:
Time, Date and Location of Meeting
/
School
/
Checklist:
1.
Copy of current attendance printout
2.
Copy of Attendance Contract
3.
Copy of School Social Worker Chronological Notes
4.
Copies of letters sent to parents regarding attendance
5.
Copy of results from Attendance/IAT Meeting(s)
6.
Copy of Emergency Card
7.
Copies of other relevant documentation
8.
Blank copy of Attendance/IAT Record form
Recommendations:
1.
2.
Refer to Youth & Family Alternatives
Parents did not show
3. Other(s) (Explain fully.)
Participants’ Signatures:
School Social Worker
Youth & Family Alternatives Representative
Student Services Representative
School Representative
Parent/Guardian
Copies: Student Cumulative Folder, Parent, School Social Worker, Student Services
Page 21
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Polk County Schools
Attendance – Intervention Assistance Team Record
DOB:
Student’s Name:
Student ID#:
School:
Grade/Subject:
Date A-IAT Meeting (1):
Date A-IAT Meeting (2) (if applicable):
Presenting
Problem
Reason
Members in attendance:
Interventions
22
Page 22
Teacher:
Start
End
Date
Date
Person
Responsible
Outcome
Revised 05-08-08
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Student Services
Polk County Resource Guide
Page 23
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
TABLE
ABUSE ................................................................................................ 25
ADOPTION .......................................................................................... 25
ALCOHOL/SUBSTANCE ABUSE ...................................................... 25
CHILD CARE ....................................................................................... 26
CLOTHING, FINANCIAL AID, FOOD & UTILITIES ............................ 26
DISABILITY SERVICES ...................................................................... 27
EDUCATION RESOURCES ................................................................ 28
ELDERLY SERVICES ......................................................................... 28
EMPLOYMENT & JOB TRAINING ..................................................... 29
HEALTH SERVICES ........................................................................... 29
HOUSING ............................................................................................ 30
JUVENILE JUSTICE ........................................................................... 31
LEGAL SERVICES.............................................................................. 31
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ........................................................... 31
MENTORING ....................................................................................... 32
MIGRANT SERVICES ......................................................................... 32
PREGNANCY/PARENTING EDUCATION .......................................... 32
RESOURCES ...................................................................................... 33
SUPPORT GROUPS ........................................................................... 34
TRANSPORTATION ........................................................................... 35
YOUTH SERVICES ............................................................................. 35
Page 24
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
ABUSE
ADAPT- Abolish Domestic Violence Alternatives and Prevention
Children’s Home Society
 Bartow (CPT & CAC)
 Lakeland
Department of Children and Families
 Bartow
 Lakeland
Devereux Florida
 Independent Living Program
 Investigations & Protective Services
 Therapeutic Foster Care
Florida Abuse Hotline
Guardian Ad Litem Program
Gulf Coast Community Care
Heartland for Children
Kids Hope United
Peace River Domestic Violence Shelter
Peace River Rape Crisis
534-4698
519-3906
413-3126
619-4201
534-7100
619-4201
298-5601
298-4400
298-5601
1-800-962-2879
534-4605
904-3000
519-8900
701-7444
413-2700
413 2707
ADOPTION
Catholic Charities of Central Florida
 Lakeland
 Winter Haven
Catholic Social Services Family Help
Children’s Home Society
Florida Adoption Info Center
Florida Baptist Children’s Home
Florida Department of Children and Families
 Bartow
 Lakeland
National Adoption Center for Special Needs
686 7153
299-7983
686-1651
413-3126
1-800-962-3678
688-4981
534-7050
413-2186
1-800-862-3678
ALCOHOL/SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Education/Outpatient
ACTS
Al-Anon Family Groups
Alcoholics Anonymous
 Baycare at Lakeland
Central Florida Human Services
Drug Court
 Adult
 Juvenile
Drug Helpline
Drug Prevention Resource Center
Lakeland Centers
Lakeland Regional Medical Center
Mark Wilcox Center
Mothers Against Methamphetamines
MADD-Mothers Against Drunk Driving
428-1520
687-3800
687-9275
859-9104
682-8211
534-4612
534-4612
1-800-662-4357
802-0777
687-9900
687-1222
291-5355
519-0000
285-8478
Page 25
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Narcotics Anonymous Helpline
New Life Ministry
Project Next Stop
PRIDE Partnership of Polk County
Tri County Human Services
 Bartow (Detox)
 Highland City
 Lakeland (education)
 Winter Haven
683-0630
682-7842
533-2321
294-1853
709-9392
533-4139
701-7373
665 5599
299-4357
Residential-Central Florida Area
AGAPE House (Winter Haven)
Center for Drug Free Living
Adolescent-Orlando
Women-Orlando
Winter Haven Center for Psychiatry
Florida Center for Addictions & Dual Diagnosis
(Avon Park)
House of Freedom Inc. (Kissimmee)
La Amistad Behavioral Health Services (Maitland)
New Horizon (Mulberry)
Operation Par- Par Academy for Behavioral Change
(St. Petersburg, Fl)
Osceola Counseling Center for Drug Free Living
RASUW Center for Women (Winter Haven)
Teen Challenge (Lakeland)
Teen Challenge (Christian based)
(Male-Bonifay, Fl)
(Female-Deland, Fl)
The Bridge (Auburndale)
863-299-7003
407-425-8111
407-521-2495
407-297-2010
800-723-3248
863-452-3858
407-846-1152
407-647-0660
863-428-1520
1-888-727-6398
407-846-5285
863-533 5860
863-647-1944
407-622-5200
863-965-6308
CHILD CARE
ARBORS
 Lakeland
 Winter Haven
Child Development Center of Polk County
Child Find
Head Start
 Eloise
 Lakeland
577-2450
508-1100
683-6504
534 0946
291-5316
853-6027
CLOTHING, FINANCIAL AID, FOOD & UTILITIES
AGAPE Food Bank
Angel Food Ministries
 Acts Ministries, Inc. (Winter Haven)
 Breath of Life Christian Center (Kissimmee)
 Davenport United Methodist Church (Davenport)
 First Baptist Church of Eagle Lake (Eagle Lake)
 New Beginnings World Wide Outreach Ministries (HC)
 Ridge Assembly of God (Davenport)
 Word of Life Christian Center (Bartow)
Page 26
665-7074
512-0762
407-344-2522
422-3568
534-1195
422-0107
420-7000
533-0007
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Auburndale Relief Association
Catholic Charities of Central Florida
 Lakeland
 Winter Haven
Children’s Clothes Closet
Church Service Center
Department of Children and Families
(Access Florida-WAGES, Food Stamps, Medicaid)
Family Emergency Service Center
Farm Workers
Frostproof Care Center
HEARTH Program
Help of Fort Meade
HOPE Center
Hunger Hotline
Lake Wales Center
Lake Wales Care Center
Lakeland Vineyard Christian Fellowship
Lighthouse Ministries
Mulberry Community Service Center
Polk County Social Services
Polk Opportunity Council
 Bartow
Salvation Army
 Lakeland
 Winter Haven
 Haines City
SHARE Program
Social Security Administration
St. Ann’s Catholic Church
Talbot House Ministries
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
The Outreach Center
967-9711
686-7153
299-7983
683-2086
533-5822
866-762-2237
294-1939
967-9583
863-635-5555
534-0801
285-6600
683-8182
1-800-329-3663
863-676-1949
863-676-6678
647-9706
687-3705
425-1523
534-5387
533-0015
682-8179
291-5107
422-9640
1-800-536-3379
1-800-772-1213
863-422-4370
687-8475
519-7542
665-7700
DISABILITY SERVICES
Agency for Persons with Disability
Center for Independent Living
Department of Children and Families
(Developmental Disabilities)
Disabilities & Religion Project of Fl, Inc.
Disabilities Information & Referral
Epilepsy Services of West Central Fl, Inc
Goodwill Industries-Adult Day Training
March of Dimes Birth Defects Found’n of Polk County
Polk County Association for Handicapped Citizens, Inc.
Polk County School Board (ESE)
Polk County Schools ESE Transitional Program
Polk County Special Olympics
Polk Training Center for Handicapped Citizens, Inc.
School to Work Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Social Security Administration
 Lakeland
 Winter Haven
Page 27
413-3360
413-2722
619-4236
682-2578
850-488-0059
686-5880
701-1351
687-8909
665-3846
534-0930
534-0922
534-0955
956-1620
680-5534
683-0611
293-2782
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Special Needs Shelter Registration/Info
Sunrise Community of Polk County
TLC Retirement Residence
Vocational Rehabilitation
 Lakeland
 Winter Haven
534-5600
680-2817
688-1196
680-5534
291-5280
EDUCATION RESOURCES
Drug Prevention Resource Center
Families of Faith
Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource Center
Florida Virtual School
HEARTH Program
Home School Office
Learning Resource Center
Mark Wilcox Center
Polk County Home School
Polk County School Board (ESE)
Polk Virtual School
Teen Parent Program, Polk County Schools
 Lakeland
 Ridge Tech Center
802-0777
686-7755
534-0950
407-317-3326
534-0801
534-0024
688-9477
294-5355
534-0024
534-0930
534-7214
499-2963
419-3060
ELDERLY SERVICES
Action Health Care & Staffing, Inc
Amedisys Home Health Care
American Association for Retired Persons
Bartow Multi Purpose Center-Elderly Services
Bay Area Behavioral Health Division
Care Givers Home Health Services
 Dundee
 Lakeland
Cornerstone Hospice
Department of Children and Families (Adult Services)
Evercare
Experience Works
Florida Baptist Adult Group Home
Good Shepherd Hospice
Independent Home Health Service
Interim Healthcare Inc-Homemaker Assistance
Lakeland Multi Purpose Center-Elderly Services
Lake Morton Senior Center
Neighborhood Service Center
Polk County Elderly Services
Seniors vs. Crime
Retired Senior Volunteer Program
Veterans Services
Volunteers in Service to the Elderly
West Central Florida Agency on Aging
680-2273
297-1873
666-1908
534-0393
297-1702
863-439-8215
863-683-5574
421-1482
534-0845
813-818-3253
967-9631
800-962-2873
297-1880
665-8866
619-8822
499-2606
687-2988
294-5860
534-5320
413-3000
534-6729
683-5627, ext.140
284-0828
1-800-336-2226
Page 28
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
EMPLOYMENT & JOB TRAINING
GED/ Career Training
East Area Adult School
Farmworker Jobs & Education
Job Corp
Life Skills Center
 Lakeland
 Winter Haven
Luster All Vocational Training School
Polk Works Young Leaders
 Haines City
 Lakeland
 Winter Haven
Ridge Career Center
Travis Career Center
West Area Adult School
Youth Build
965-5475
291-5713
508-1100, ext 307
683-6279
683-6279
439-2242
533-2359
863-421-9346
688-6162
508-1589
419-3060
499-2700
499-2835
687-2911
Employment
Displaced Homemakers Program
Polk Works One Stop Center
 Lakeland
 Winter Haven
683-5627, ext 116
683-5627
508-1100
HEALTH SERVICES
Dental
Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine
Polk County Health Department Dental Clinics
 Auburndale
 Bartow
 Lakeland
Traviss Career Center
688-5846
965-5400
534-7258
413-2620
499-2700
Health Care & Medications
Florida KidCare
Florida Medicaid
Healthy Kids Corporation
MEDNET- Prescription Assistance Services
MomCare Program (Healthy Start)
Polk Health Care Plan
Tri County Pharmacy
1-888-540-5437
1-800-226-2316
534-5313 or 1-888-352-5437
519-2042
297-4481
533-1111
937-0480
Medical
Central Florida Health Care, Inc.
 Dundee
 Frostproof Clinic
Children’s Medical Services
Haley Center Faith Based Care
Healthy Community Access Program
Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine
863-419-3330
863-635-4891
701-1151
294-0985
534-5640
688-5846
Page 29
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Polk County Health Department
 Auburndale
 Bartow
 Haines City
 Lake Wales
 Lakeland
965-5400
519-7916
421-3204
678-4131
413-2620
Vision & Hearing
All Children’s Specialty Care of Lakeland
Central Florida Speech and Hearing
Central Florida Deaf Services
Deaf Service Center of Polk County
Deaf Program of Tampa Bay Academy
Florida Division of Blind Services
Florida School for the Deaf and Blind
Florida Vision Quest
Our Children’s Rehab Services Center
Pediatric Therapy Services, Inc.
Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind
Traviss Career Center
802-6600
686-3189
686-1221, ext 239
701-0544
813-677-2502
499-2385
1-800-344 3732
499-2821
294-1429
802-3800
813-251-2407
499-2700, ext.268
HOUSING
Emergency Housing (Shelter)
Lighthouse Ministries
 Men
 Women and Children
Talbot House Ministries
Salvation Army
 Lakeland
 Winter Haven
Women’s Care Center
687-3705
687-4076
687-8475
682-8179
291-5109
534-3844
Housing Assistance
City of Lakeland Housing Division
Habitat for Humanity
 Lakeland
 Winter Haven
Hearth Program
Homeless Coalition of Polk County
Housing Authority
 Bartow
 Haines City
 Lake Wales
 Lakeland
 Winter Haven
Housing & Neighborhood Development
Lake Wales Center
Section 8 Housing
Winter Haven Community Development
834-3360
688-4660
292-2256
534-0801
687-8386
533-6311
421-3680
676-7414
687-2911
294-7369
534-5240
676-1949
534-5240
291-5895
Page 30
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
JUVENILE JUSTICE
Bay Area Youth Services
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Probation
Juvenile Assessment Center
Juvenile Detention Center
Public Defenders Office
Polk County Sherriff’s STAR One Day Boot Camp
State Attorney’s Office
 Juvenile Division
Teen Court
TIP Program (Lakeland Police Dept)
Youth and Family Alternatives
667-4701
534-7175
519-3655
534-7020
534-4200
519-3995
534-4904
534-4656
413-2051
499-2430
LEGAL SERVICES
Child Support Enforcement Program
Department of Revenue (Child Support)
Domestic Violence Program-Injunction for Protection
Florida Rural Legal Services
Florida Four Legged Advocates
Heart of Florida Legal Aid Society (Divorce)
Polk County Clerk of the Court
(ADAPT- Abolish Domestic Violence Alternatives and Prevention
Techniques)
(Dependency Mediation)
(Family Mediation)
(Positive Co-Parenting)
Social Security Administration
 Lakeland
Victim’s Assistance Office
284-4410
1-800-622-5437
534-4180
688-7376
293-4007
519-5663
534-4698
1-800-772-1213
683-0611
534-4800
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Central Florida Human Services Center
Lakeland Regional Medical Center for Counseling
Mid Florida Center for Counseling
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Polk County (NAMI)
Park Place
Peace River Center
 Bartow
 Lakeland
Project Next Stop
SEDNET
Winter Haven Hospital Behavioral Health Division
Wisdom for Living, Inc.
682-8111
687-1222
533-2321
413-2788
407-846-0023
519-3750
248-3300
533-2321
534-0934
294-7062
603-0350
Crisis
Peace River Crisis Hotline
Suicide Hotline
519-3744
1-800-SUICIDE
Bereavement/Grief
Bethany Center
Cornerstone Hospice
802-0456
291-5567
Page 31
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
Good Shepherd Hospice
Innovations in Counseling
Life Path Hospice
297-1880
294-8845
682-0027
MENTORING
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Boys and Girls Club
 Lakeland
 Winter Haven
Boys Scouts of America
City of Lakeland Parks & Recreation
Girls Inc
 Lakeland (W. Highland)
 Lakeland (MLK Ave)
 Winter Haven
Girls Scouts of America
Gulf Coast Community Care
Parks and Recreation Department
Police Activities League
YMCA
 North Lakeland
 South Lakeland
 Lake Wales
 Winter Haven
4 H of Polk County
682-5191
686-1719
967-1532
533-2775
834-6035
682-3002
688-7671
967-2864
688-7648
904-3000
534-4341
834-8970
859-7769
644-3528
676-9441
292-0922
519-8677
MIGRANT SERVICES
Agricultural & Labor Program (ALPI)
Centro Campesino
East Coast Migrant Head Start Project
Farmworker Jobs & Education
Florida Department of Labor
Immigration Services
Migrant Education
Redlands Christian Migrant Associations
Social Security Administration
 Lakeland
956-3491
967-9583
299-7100
291-5713
291-5292
800-375-5283
534-0655
813-967-0223
800-772-1213
683-0611
PREGNANCY/ PARENTING EDUCATION
Prenatal Care/Education
Catholic Charities of Central Florida
 Lakeland
 Winter Haven
Central Florida Health Care
Exodus Women’s Center
Healthy Start
 Auburndale
 Bartow
 Lake Wales
 Lakeland
 Haines City
Healthy Start Coalition of Hardee, Highlands and Polk Counties
Lakeland Parents of Multiples
Lakeland Regional Medical Center
Page 32
686 7153
299-7983
635-4891
1-800-780-2229
965-3739
534-7142
678-4000
413-2620
421-3210
297-3043
648-5533
687-1100
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
March of Dimes
New Creation Pregnancy Center
Planned Parenthood
Pregnancy Health Center
Polk County Health Department
 Auburndale
 Bartow
 Haines City
 Lake Wales
 Lakeland
 Winter Haven OB/GYN Clinic
Regency Medical Center
Teen Parent Program, Polk County Schools
 Lakeland
 Ridge Tech Center
687-8909
683-2341
665-5735
682-5763
965-5400
519-7916
421-3214
678-4131
413-2620
291-5220/5217
294-7010
499-2963
419-3060
Breast Feeding Support
Healthy Start
 Auburndale
 Bartow
 Lake Wales
 Lakeland
 Haines City
La Leche League of Lakeland
Lakeland Regional Medical Center
Regency Medical Center
Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
 Auburndale
 Bartow
 Haines City
 Lake Wales
 Lakeland
965-3739
534-7142
678-4000
413-2620
421-3210
680-1118
687-1100
294-7068
965-5452
519-7542
419-3250
678-4013
413-2638
Parenting
Alternative Behavioral Concepts
Devereux Early Childhood Assessment Program
Family Fundamentals
Healthy Families Polk
GoGrandmaGo
Gulf Coast Community Care
Peace River Center
 Bartow
 Lakeland
Positive Co-Parenting
Winter Haven Behavioral Health
Youth and Family Alternatives
551-3300
519 8900, ext 223
686-1221
603-6461
644-8239
904-3000
519-3750
248-3300
534-4698
291-3611
499-2430
RESOURCES
Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline
Family Fundamentals
Healthy Communities Access Program
Heartland for Children
One Today Polk
United Way
1 800 96ABUSE
686-1221
534 5640
519-8900
397 9286
648-1500
Page 33
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
SUPPORT GROUPS
A Differently Abled National Alliance for Mentally Ill
Aids Support Group
Alzheimer’s Support Groups
Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Amputee Support Group
Aphasia Support Group
Bounce- When life gets you down-bounce back
Brain Injury Support Group
Breast Feeding Class
Breathe Better with Support
Cancer Support Group
Diabetes Information and Support Group
Domestic Violence Support Group
Eating Healthy for Life
Epilepsy Support Group
Family & Caregivers Support Group
Fibromyalgia Support Group
First Months Club for Parents
First Steps Club for Parents
Grief Support Group
GoGrandmaGo
Heads Up-Keeping Parents in the Loop
Lifelink Donor Awareness & Support Group
Lupus Information and Support Group
Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Polk County
Newborn Care Class
Ostomy Club
Parent Support Group (Foster Parent Association)
Parental Encouragement for Autistic Children Everywhere
Parkinson’s Support Group
Perinatal Bereavement
Prepared Childbirth Weekday Course
Pulmonary Rehab Support Group & Class
Rape Crisis Support Group
Stroke Support Group
Support Group for the Blind
Teen Prenatal Classes
Thyroid Interest Group
Woman to Woman (Breast Cancer Support Group)
Support Group Resources
Family Fundamentals
Lakeland Ledger
Lakeland Regional Medical Center
Peace River Center
Winter Haven Hospital Behavioral Health Division
Winter Haven Hospital
686-1221, ext. 221
291-3737 or 678-1106
294-3144 or 299-1064
667-2068
293-1121, ext. 1171
293-1121, ext 2726
409-5049
293-1121
687-1100, ext.2097
965-5400
291-6705
676-1433, ext. 4166 or 284-1604
294-5318
676-1433, ext. 4166
686-5880
294-7056, ext. 3673
676-1433, ext. 4166
299-5170, 676-1433, ext. 4166
294-7020
294-7020
297-1877
644-8239
409-5049
324-3186
956-3904
291-6705
413-2788
687-1100, ext. 2097
293-1121, ext.1511
686-1221, ext. 221
686-1221, ext. 221
297-1706
325-9742 or 294-7044
687-1100, ext. 2097
284-1985
299-5025
297-1807
293-6429
687-1100, ext.2097
357-7238
291-6705
686-1221
687-1100
519-0575
293-1121
293-1121
Page 34
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
TRANSPORTATION
Citrus Cars
Citrus Connection
 Handy Bus (Lakeland)
 Polk County Transit Services
Department of Motor Vehicles
Florida Medicaid
Polk County Human Services (Medicaid)
Polk County Transit Services
508-1100, ext 342
688-5438
688-7433
499-2323
1-800-226-2316
534-5200
534-5500
YOUTH SERVICES
Day Treatment/Schooling
Associates Marine Institutes (AMI Lakeland)
Bill Duncan Excel Center
Don Woods Excel Center
Foundation Charter School
PACE School for Girls
PACE Program
Polk County Sheriff’s STAR One Day Boot Camp
682-7600
499-2860
421-3325
682-8111
688-5596
967-7596
519-3995
Residential/Shelter
Anchor House Ministries
Family Health Line
Florida Baptist Children Homes
Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch
George Harris Youth Shelter
New Horizons
Polk County Sheriff’s STAR Boot Camp (court order)
Tampa Bay Academy
University Behavioral Center (Orlando)
665-1916
1-800-451-2229
698-8811
533-7557
595-0220
428-1520
519-3995
813-677-6700
407-281-7000
Page 35
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
DOE INFORMATION DATA BASE REQUIREMENTS
VOLUME I: AUTOMATED STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
AUTOMATED STUDENT DATA ELEMENTS
(Dropout codes are designated by an asterisk.)
Implementation Date:
Fiscal Year 1992-93
July 1, 1992
APPENDIX A
ATTENDANCE RECORDKEEPING REQUIRED CODES FOR GRADE PK-12 STUDENTS
ENTRIES INTO FLORIDA
PUBLIC SCHOOLS THIS SCHOOL YEAR
WITHDRAWAL FROM FLORIDA PUBLIC
SCHOOLS: GRADE PK-12 STUDENTS
E01 - Any PK-12 student who was enrolled in a public school in
this school district the previous school year.
* DNE - Any PK-12 student who was expected to
attend a school but did not enter as expected for
unknown reasons.
E02 - Any PK-12 student whose last school of enrollment was a
public school outside of this district, or in another state or territory.
E03 - Any PK-12 student whose last school of enrollment was a
private school in any Florida school district, or another state or
territory.
E04 - Any PK-12 student who is enrolling in a public school in this
district after having been in home education in any Florida school
district, or another state or territory.
W01 - Any PK-12 student promoted, retained or
transferred to another attendance reporting unit in the
same school.
W02 - Any PK-12 student promoted, retained or
transferred to another school in the same district.
W3A - Any PK-12 student who withdraws to attend
a public school in another district in Florida.
W3B – Any PK-12 student who withdraws to attend
another public school out-of-state.
E05 – Any student entering PK or KG for the first time.
E09 – Any PK-12 student who enters a Florida school from a
country other than the United States or a United States
Commonwealth/Territory.
REENTERING INTO
FLORIDA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
R01 - Any PK-12 student who was received from another
attendance reporting unit in the same school.
R02 - Any PK-12 student who was received from another school
in the same district.
R03 - Any PK-12 student who unexpectedly reenters a school in
the same district after withdrawing or being discharged.
W04 - Any PK-12 student who withdraws to attend
a nonpublic school in- or out-of-state.
* W05 - Any student age 16 or older who leaves
school voluntarily with no intention of returning.
W06 - Any student who graduated from school and
met all of the requirements to receive a standard
diploma.
W6A - Any student who graduated from school and
met all of the requirements to receive a standard
diploma, based on the 18-credit college preparatory
graduation option.
W6B - Any student who graduated from school and
met all of the requirements to receive a standard
diploma, based on the 18-credit career preparatory
graduation option.
W07 - Any student who graduated from school with
a special diploma based on option one--mastery of
Sunshine State Standards for Special Diploma.
W08 - Any student who received a certificate of
completion. The student met the minimum credits and
local requirements, but did not pass the state
approved graduation test or an alternate assessment,
and/or did not achieve the required GPA.
Revised: 7/08
Volume I
Effective: 7/08
Page 36
Page Number: A-1
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
DOE INFORMATION DATA BASE REQUIREMENTS
VOLUME I: AUTOMATED STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
AUTOMATED STUDENT DATA ELEMENTS
(Dropout codes are designated by an asterisk.)
Implementation Date:
Fiscal Year 1992-93
July 1, 1992
APPENDIX A (Continued)
ATTENDANCE RECORDKEEPING REQUIRED CODES FOR GRADE PK-12 STUDENTS
(Continued)
WITHDRAWAL FROM FLORIDA PUBLIC
SCHOOLS: GRADE PK-12 STUDENTS
WITHDRAWAL FROM FLORIDA PUBLIC
SCHOOLS: GRADE PK-12 STUDENTS
W8A - Any student who met all of the requirements to receive a
standard diploma except passing the state approved graduation
test and received a certificate of completion and is eligible to take
the College Placement Test and be admitted to remedial or credit
courses at a state community college as appropriate.
W24 - Any KG-12 student who withdraws from
school to attend a Home Education program.
W09 - Any student who received a special certificate of
completion, is properly classified as an eligible exceptional
education student, met applicable local requirements, and was
unable to meet appropriate special state minimum requirements.
W26 - Any student who withdraws from school to
enter the adult education program prior to completion
of graduation requirements.
W10 – Any student who completed the GED Exit Option Model
Program requirements, passed the GED Tests and the state
approved graduation test, and was awarded a standard diploma.
W12 - Any PK-12 student withdrawn from school due to death.
* W13 - Any KG-12 student withdrawn from school due to court
action.
* W15 - Any KG-12 student who is withdrawn from school due to
nonattendance.
* W18 - Any KG-12 student who withdraws from school due to
medical reasons.
* W21 - Any KG-12 student who is withdrawn from school due to
being expelled.
* W22 - Any KG-12 student whose whereabouts is unknown.
* W23 – Any KG-12 student who withdraws from school for any
reason other than W01 - W22 or W24 – W27.
W25 - Any student under the age of 6 who
withdraws from school.
W27 - Any student who graduated from school with
a special diploma based on option two-mastery of
employment and community competencies.
WFA – Any student who graduated from school
with a standard diploma based on an 18-credit college
preparatory graduation option and satisfied the state
approved graduation test requirement through an
alternate assessment.
WFB – Any student who graduated from school
with a standard diploma based on an 18-credit career
preparatory graduation option and satisfied the state
approved graduation test requirement through an
alternate assessment.
WFT - Any student who graduated from school
with a standard diploma and satisfied the state
approved graduation test requirement through an
alternate assessment. (For students meeting
accelerated
high
school
graduation
option
requirements, see WFA and WFB.)
WFW – Any student with disabilities who
graduated from school with a standard diploma and
an FCAT waiver.
WGA – Any student who completed the GED Exit
Option Model Program requirements, passed the
GED Tests, satisfied the state approved graduation
test requirement through an alternate assessment,
and was awarded a standard diploma.
Revised: 7/08
Volume I
Effective: 7/08
Page 37
Page Number: A-2
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
DOE INFORMATION DATA BASE REQUIREMENTS
VOLUME I: AUTOMATED STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
AUTOMATED STUDENT DATA ELEMENTS
(Dropout codes are designated by an asterisk.)
Implementation Date:
Fiscal Year 1992-93
July 1, 1992
APPENDIX A (Continued)
ATTENDANCE RECORDKEEPING REQUIRED CODES FOR GRADE PK-12 STUDENTS
(Continued)
WITHDRAWAL FROM FLORIDA PUBLIC
SCHOOLS: GRADE PK-12 STUDENTS
WGD – Any student who completed the GED Exit
Option Model Program requirements and passed
the GED Tests, but did not pass the state approved
graduation test and was awarded a State of Florida
diploma, or any DJJ student passing the GED Tests
in accordance with s.1003.51(4), Florida Statutes.
WPO – Any student who is withdrawn from school
without receiving a standard diploma and subsequent
to receiving a W07, W08, W8A, W09, or W27 during
the student’s year of high school completion.
Listed below is a summary of the Dropout, Diploma and Certificate Codes.
Dropout Codes: DNE, W05, W13, W15, W18, W21, W22, W23
Diploma Codes:
Standard Diplomas: W06, W6A, W6B, W10, WFA, WFB,WFT, WFW, WGA
Special Diplomas:W07, W27
State of Florida Diploma: WGD
Certificate Codes:
Certificates of Completion: W08, W8A
Special Certificate of Completion: W09
Revised: 7/08
Volume I
Effective: 7/08
Page 38
Page Number: A-3
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
DOE INFORMATION DATA BASE REQUIREMENTS
VOLUME I: AUTOMATED STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
AUTOMATED STUDENT DATA ELEMENTS
Implementation Date:
Fiscal Year 1992-93
July 1, 1992
APPENDIX B
ATTENDANCE RECORDKEEPING REQUIRED CODES FOR ADULT STUDENTS
ENTRY: ADULT STUDENTS
W39 - Any adult student who left the class/program
because of the time the class/program is scheduled.
EA1 - The original entry of an adult student into this class.
REENTRY: ADULT STUDENTS
W40 - Any adult student who left the class/program
because of other known reasons.
RA1 - Reentry of an adult student into the same class after withdrawal
from that class for any reason.
W41 - Any adult student who left the class/program
because of unknown reasons.
WITHDRAWALS: ADULT STUDENTS
W42 - Any adult student who was expelled from
school.
W28 - Any adult student who left the postsecondary adult job
preparatory program as a program completer.
W29 - Any adult student who withdraws from a class but remains
enrolled in another class in the program.
W30 - Any adult student who left the class/program to take a job,
previously unemployed.
W31 - Any adult student who left the class/program to take a better
job, previously employed.
W32 - Any adult student who left the class/program to enter
another training program.
W33 - Achieved personal objective.
W34 - Any adult student who left the class/program for lack of
interest.
W43 - Any adult student who graduated from school
with a standard diploma.
W44 - Any adult student who left school with a
certificate of completion.
W45 - Any adult student who left school with a State
of Florida diploma (GED).
W46 - Any adult student who left the class/program
because of the location where the courses met.
W47 - Any adult student who is procedurally
withdrawn at the end of the term or school year who will
continue in the class/program the next term or school
year.
W35 - Any adult student who left the class/program because of
health problems.
W48 - Any student in grades 9-12 taking an adult
course for high school credit who is working towards a
high school diploma who has left before completing the
class/program.
W36 - Any adult student who left the class/program because of
transportation problems.
W49 - Any adult student who left the class/program
because of having changed address or left the area.
W37 - Any adult student who left the class/program because of
child care problems.
W50 - Any adult student withdrawn from school due
to death.
W38 - Any adult student who left the class/program because of
family problems.
W51 - Any student in grades 9-12 taking an adult
course for high school credit who is working towards a
high school diploma who has completed the
class/program.
W52 - Any adult student who graduated from school
with a standard diploma and satisfied the graduation
test requirement through an alternate assessment.
Revised:
Volume I
Effective: 7/08
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Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
2008-2009 CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT
SECTION 2.01. ABSENCE: Also see Attendance, Checking Out of Class or School, Graduation Requirements, and
Makeup Work.
A. Daily Report: Teachers shall record daily attendance in the Automated Student Attendance System.
B. Excused Absences: An excused absence is defined as an absence that has the sanction of the parent and
the school. The following absences are acceptable and will be excused:
1.
Personal Illness: A student shall be excused for absences caused by personal illness. A note
explaining the absence which has been signed by the parent must accompany the student on return to
school, or a telephone call from the parent if required by the principal. A student may be excused for a
continued or repeated illness for up to ten (10) attendance days in a span of a ninety calendar (90) day
period. After this period of time, a doctor’s verification will be required. If no verification is submitted
within three (3) student attendance days upon return to school, referral to the school nurse will be
required [F. S. 1003.26].
2.
Illness or Death in the Immediate Family: A student shall be excused for absences caused by
serious illness or death in the immediate family. Immediate family is defined as parent, brother, sister,
grandparent, aunt, uncle, legal guardian or person in loco parentis, or member of the household. A
note explaining the absence that has been signed by the parent must accompany the student on
return to school.
3.
Religious Holidays: A student shall be excused from attendance in school in grades K-12 on a day or
days or particular time of day, and shall be given the opportunity to make up any work missed due to
that student’s observance of a religious holiday.
4.
Prior Notice: The parent shall give written notice to the principal or teacher not more than five (5) days
prior to any absence.
5.
Written Excuse: A written excuse for such absences pursuant to this rule shall not be required upon
return to school.
6.
Educational Trips: Such trips shall be planned by the parent and teacher and prearranged and
approved by the school administration. The student shall prepare and submit a written report of the trip
to the teacher.
7.
Trips with Parents: Such trips shall be prearranged and approved by the school administration. If
such trips are not prearranged, the absences shall not be excused unless the trip was necessitated by
an emergency. The principal or designee will make the final determination.
8.
School Sponsored Activities: A student shall be excused from attendance at school to participate in
school sponsored activities such as athletic functions, band, club trips, etc., if such activities have been
prearranged with the school administration. These students are to be counted in attendance at said
school for this period of time.
9.
Judicial Actions:
a. Subpoena/Summons: A student shall be excused for any absence due to court appearance
provided the principal or designee has been furnished a copy of the subpoena or court
summons.
b. Juvenile Detention Center: A student shall be excused for any absence due to placement in
the Juvenile Detention Center.
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Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
C. Unexcused Absence: An unexcused absence is defined as an absence that does not meet the criterion of
an excused absence listed in section B. Students cannot be suspended out of school for unexcused
absences. For the purpose of a truancy petition, the student must be present more than 50% of the day to be
counted present.
SECTION 2.04. ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS: Also refer to Absence, Checking Out of Class or School, Driver
License Requirements, Graduation Requirements, and Makeup Work.
A. Compulsory Attendance: All children who have attained the age of six (6) years by February 1 st of any
school year, or who are older than six (6) years of age but have not attained the age of sixteen (16) years,
are required to attend school regularly during the entire school term unless otherwise exempt under the law.
Students between 16 and 18 years of age must regularly attend school and are subject to all required
intervention and related enforcement procedures unless the parent and the student have formally terminated
school enrollment by completing the Declaration of Intent to Terminate School Enrollment form and
participate in an Exit Interview.
B. Truancy: Truancy is defined as the absence of a student within the compulsory attendance age without the
knowledge, consent, or connivance of the parent. The student may be referred to the circuit court as
provided by law; however, the parent and student will be afforded the opportunity to meet with school
personnel in an effort to solve the attendance problem before a referral is made. Students deemed truant
may lose their Florida driving privilege: See DRIVER LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: SECTION 2.11.
C. Responsibility for Attendance: The responsibility for attendance of a child within the compulsory age limit
rests primarily with the parent, the principal, and the teacher.
1.
Parent: The responsibility of the parent is to ensure that his or her child attends school daily. The
status of an absence (excused or unexcused) or tardiness must be resolved with school personnel
within two school days of the student's absence (see Section 2.01 B and C for definitions of excused
and unexcused absences).
If the parent of a child within the compulsory school attendance age is found to be responsible for the
unexcused nonattendance of that child, criminal prosecution against the parent may be instituted as
provided by law.
2.
School Administration: Any student who is absent without an excused absence for more than five (5)
days during a nine-week grading period will be reviewed by an Attendance Committee chosen by the
principal. The Attendance Committee is responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring and
evaluating interventions to improve attendance. A referral for social work services and community
resources-or-involvement of the State Attorney’s Office may be warranted.
SECTION 2.11. DRIVER LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Any student who is eligible (age 15, 16, or 17) to obtain a
restricted or regular Florida driver license must also be in compliance with school attendance requirements of
Section 322.091, Florida Statutes, prior to applying for a Florida driver license.
SECTION 2.21. MAKEUP WORK: Makeup work should be appropriate instructional assignments consistent with the
Student Progression Plan.
A. Students’ Rights: Students have the right to make up work missed because of excused and unexcused
absences.
B. Students’ Responsibilities: A student who is absent is required to make up course work missed,
regardless of whether the absence is excused or unexcused. It is the student’s/parent’s responsibility to
make a plan with the teacher (within one or two class meetings) following an absence. The student will have
no less (plus two) than the number of days absent to complete and hand in work for credit. Specific
arrangements must be made with the teacher.
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Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
SECTION 2.32. TARDIES: A tardy is the absence of any student at the start of class. Excused and unexcused
tardies will be defined the same as excused and unexcused absences. Students cannot be suspended out of school
for unexcused tardies.
A. For the purpose of a truancy petition for elementary students, 5 unexcused tardies and/or unexcused early
dismissals will be recorded as one unexcused absence.
B. For secondary students, unexcused class tardies will be handled under Section 6.09.
SECTION 6.09. TARDY: Punctuality is necessary for the student to take full advantage of available educational
opportunities. Tardies will not be carried over into the next semester. Students who are tardy are subject to the
following:
Levels 1-4
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Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
PEDICULOSIS CAPITIS/HEAD LICE POLICY
I. Background Information
Head lice are parasites and dwell only on the human head. They are not known to be
associated with any disease. They die in 1 to 2 days when removed from the head. Head lice
eggs (nits) die soon after being removed from the warm scalp. Head lice are difficult to see,
but the nits are visible as whitish gray oval shapes that adhere to hair shafts. The nits hatch
in seven to ten days and the young lice emerge as miniature copies of the adult louse. They
reach maturity in approximately two weeks. The adult louse has a 20 to 30 day life cycle
during which the female may lay 275 to 300 nits.
Common symptoms: 1) Many children experience no symptoms. 2) Symptoms take several
weeks to develop. 3) When symptoms occur, the most common are scratching of the head,
nits and/or live lice.
Treatment varies. It may include use of olive oil (Attachment 5: “Five Step Battle Plan) or use
of a pediculocide, as well as removal of all nits from the hair and thorough cleaning of the
household and clothing. (See Attachment 3: Head Lice Transmittal/Ten Steps to Staying
Ahead of Lice for more specific treatment recommendations). Continued scratching of the
head after treatment has been completed is common. This does not indicate reinfestation.
Schools bring children into close contact on a daily basis. However, only 1 in 10
transmissions occur in school. Controlling the spread of head lice depends on prompt
identification of all suspected cases, proper administrative procedures, effective treatment and
consistent follow-up.
II. Administrative Procedures/Responsibilities
A. The Principal’s Role:
1. Send a letter to parents/guardians at the beginning of each school year to
inform them about head lice and encourage them to check their child on a
regular basis (Attachment 1: School Board Head Lice Parent Letter).
2. Designate two or more school personnel, preferably health contact/clinic aide,
to inspect students for head lice or nits. Those designated must have received
instruction in head lice and nit detection and treatment procedures.
Revised 9-05
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Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
3. Ensure that school-wide head checks are performed at school, no more than
three times a year (Refer to Section D: Head Lice Screenings).
4. Ensure that checks are performed on any student showing symptoms of
head lice infestation.
5. Exclude from school any child found to have lice and/or nits (Refer to
Section III: Disposition of Students Suspected of Having Head Lice/Nits).
6. Re-admit the student to the classroom when designated school personnel
have inspected the child’s head and determined that the student has no lice
or nits.
7. When the “Head Lice Transmittal Form” (Attachment 3: Head Lice
Transmittal/Ten Steps to Staying Ahead of Lice for more specific treatment
recommendations) has been signed by the student’s health care provider,
the student must be readmitted to the classroom without additional
head checks by school personnel.
8. Count the absence of a student identified with lice or nits as an excused
absence for the first five (5) days of infestation. Additional absences
will be unexcused until the student is clear and able to return to class.
9. Ensure that each child has a place for his/her hat, coat and other
belongings so they will not come in contact with the belongings of other
children. This protective measure must be maintained whether or not lice
are known to be present in school (Attachment 6: Universal Precautions of
Head Lice).
10. Ensure proper cleaning of the school to minimize the risk of transmission of head lice
(Refer to Section C: Preventing Transmission).
B. The School Nurse’s Role:
1. Instruct school personnel, designated by the principal, in the correct
method of screening for and identifying the presence of head lice.
2. Provide instruction and communication with parents/guardians who request
such assistance or are referred by school personnel.
3. Assist in health education activities for faculty and students regarding head
lice prevention, transmission and treatment.
4. Act as a liaison with school personnel, students and parents/guardians.
5. Assist designated school personnel with students who have extended
absenteeism due to head lice.
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C. Preventing Transmission:
Principals and school personnel should encourage support for the following measures to prevent
head lice transmission:
1.
Nap time for students should be accomplished by “heads down” on individual desks or
by lying on plastic individual mats. Mats should be stored in the child’s own cubbyhole.
Individual mats should be sent home on a regular basis to be disinfected by the
parent/guardian.
2.
Assign individual lockers/cubbies to students, wall hooks 12 inches apart or allow
students to hang coats on the back of their seats. These measures will insure that hats
and coats are stored separately.
3.
In physical education classes, transmission may be limited by assigning
lockers/baskets to one student for each period. Several students may use the same
locker during the day, but the risk of transmission will be narrowed to only a few
students.
4.
Avoid piling clothing on top of each other.
5.
Avoid having pillows and stuffed animals/dolls in the classroom.
6.
The school must vacuum all carpeted areas daily.
7.
Students may sit on carpeted areas (with adequate spacing between each individual).
Students should not be allowed to lie down and rest their heads on carpeted areas.
8.
Upholstered furniture and bean bag chairs may contribute to the transmission of head
lice. If these items are present in a school, they must be vacuumed or cleaned daily.
9.
“School spraying” is discouraged, as this procedure does not prove effective and has
been found to be environmentally unsafe.
10.
Daily cleaning of all hard surfaces in buses or schools is required.
11.
Headphones must be wiped with a damp cloth after each individual use.
D. Head Lice Screenings:
1.
Parental permission allowing routine and periodic head checks is included on
emergency cards and should be obtained during school registration.
2.
School-wide head checks should be conducted only the first week of school after the
summer, winter and spring holidays. All students in the school should be screened for
head lice. It is recommended that school-wide screenings be done in the afternoon
towards the end of the week.
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Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
3.
Ideally, new enrollees should be checked during the first week of attendance.
4.
Parents should be reminded periodically by letter or school newsletter to check their
children (Attachment 1: School Board Head Lice Parent Letter).
E. Identification:
1.
Determination of suspected head lice infestation is made by direct inspection of the hair
and scalp for lice and nits (louse eggs). In general, most lice and nits are found at the
back of the neck and behind the ears.
2.
Establish an inspection log in the clinic to document information on each infested
student (Attachment 2: Head Lice Inspection Log).
3.
To examine the student:
a.
Have the student sit on a chair or stool in a well-lit area so the back of the head
is at a convenient height.
b.
Tilt the student’s head forward slightly so the chin is close to the chest.
c.
Part the hair behind the ears and on the back of the neck with wooden applicator
sticks (available through the School Board Warehouse). Since pediculosis
spreads easily, care should be taken to prevent transmission. The applicators
should be discarded after each examination. If the examiner’s hands/fingers
come into contact with the students’ hair/ scalp, the hands must be washed
before contact with another individual. Gloves may be worn.
d.
Inspect the hair and scalp areas carefully for nits and live lice, which indicate an
active infestation. Usually lice and nits can be seen with the naked eye, but a
magnifying glass (available through the School Board Warehouse) or flashlight
may also be helpful.
1. If one person in a classroom has been found to have head lice, ALL students
in that class must be checked. If a significant number of students appear to
have head lice, a letter should be sent home with each child informing
parents/guardians to check their child’s head (Attachment 4: Head Lice
Parent Letter).
2. The classroom teacher may wish to have her/his head checked also.
III. Disposition of students suspected of having head lice/nits:
A. Any individual suspected of having head lice and/or nits must be checked by a person
designated by the school principal, who has received instruction in head lice/nit
detection and treatment procedures.
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B. Student confidentiality must be protected at all times when dealing with head lice.
C. All students screened must be allowed to remain with their class.
D. When nits or head lice are found, the principal or designee will contact the child’s
parent/guardian to explain the Head Lice Policy for Polk County Schools, and request
that the child is picked up from school.
E. School personnel MUST NOT transport students home.
F. If the student’s parents/guardians cannot be reached to pick up the student, a head lice
transmittal and information packet (Attachment 3: Head Lice Transmittal/Ten Steps to
Staying Ahead of Lice) should be sent home at the end of the day.
G. When the parent/guardian arrives at school to pick up the child, answer their questions
on head lice treatment as well as pointing out live lice or nits in their child’s hair.
1. Discuss instructions for treatment and removal of nits. Inform the parents/guardians
that head lice/nits are considered a communicable condition and that any student
with this condition must be excluded from school until treatment is completed and
all nits are removed.
2. Give the parents/guardians a Head Lice Transmittal Form/“Ten Steps to Staying
Ahead of Head Lice” (Attachment 3) and “Five Step Battle Plan” (Attachment 5).
H. The Parent’s/Guardian’s Role:
1. Check all family members for head lice on the same day. Treat only those infested.
2. Assume the responsibility for treating the child and removing all nits.
3. Make arrangements to obtain assignments from the child’s teacher so that
classroom work may be done at home until the child is cleared to return to school.
4. Accompany the child to school for a re-check or have a Head Lice Transmittal Form
signed by the family’s medical provider.
I. The student may be readmitted by one of the following methods:
1. The parent/guardian may take the child to the Polk County Public Health
Department or their private medical provider for a head check. If the child’s head is
free of nits/lice, the transmittal form must be completed and the parent or student
can bring the transmittal form to school. A student with a transmittal form signed
by his/her medical provider is to be admitted back to the classroom without
further examination by anyone at the school.
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2. The principal should designate a school health contact /health contact or nurse (if
available) to recheck and readmit students. This service must be consistently
provided for all students. A parent/guardian must accompany the student to school
for the re-check. If the child is clear of nits/lice, the clinic aide/health contact may
readmit the student. If just a few nits are still present, they must be removed and
the child may return to class. If live lice or a large number of nits are seen, a
parent/guardian should take the child home for further nit/lice removal. This
process will continue until the student is free of nits/lice and readmitted to school.
IV. Student Absenteeism Due to Head Lice
A. If the student has not returned to school within three (3) school days, the school
health clinic aide/health contact or nurse will contact the parents/guardians regarding
the delay and discuss proper procedures for the eradication of head lice/nits and
advise the parent to get missed school work for their child.
B. If you are unable to contact parents, the school administrator will be contacted.
C. If the student has not returned to school within five (5) school days, the social worker
should be contacted by the school administrator. The social worker will visit the home
to support previous instructions given and to encourage expedient treatment. Any
absences in excess of five (5) school days will be counted as unexcused
absences.
D. If the student continues to remain out of school, it may become necessary for the
school nurse to make additional contact by phone, letter or home visit (done jointly with
the social worker if necessary).
E. When a student has missed a minimum of five (5) days of school, and all of the
above efforts have been made to return the student to school, the principal or designee
should contact Health Services or the School Health Supervisor of the Polk County
Health Department for further follow-up.
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Florida Statutes
Chapter 1003.21 School Attendance
(1)(a)1. All children who have attained the age of 6 years or who will have attained the age of 6 years by February 1
of any school year or who are older than 6 years of age but who have not attained the age of 16 years, except as
otherwise provided, are required to attend school regularly during the entire school term.
2. Children who will have attained the age of 5 years on or before September 1 of the school year are eligible for
admission to public kindergartens during that school year under rules adopted by the district school board.
(b) Any child who has attained the age of 6 years on or before September 1 of the school year and who has been
enrolled in a public school or who has attained the age of 6 years on or before September 1 and has satisfactorily
completed the requirements for kindergarten in a private school from which the district school board accepts transfer
of academic credit, or who otherwise meets the criteria for admission or transfer in a manner similar to that
applicable to other grades, shall progress according to the district's student progression plan. However, nothing in
this section shall authorize the state or any school district to oversee or exercise control over the curricula or
academic programs of private schools or home education programs.
(c) A student who attains the age of 16 years during the school year is not subject to compulsory school attendance
beyond the date upon which he or she attains that age if the student files a formal declaration of intent to terminate
school enrollment with the district school board. Public school students who have attained the age of 16 years and
who have not graduated are subject to compulsory school attendance until the formal declaration of intent is filed
with the district school board. The declaration must acknowledge that terminating school enrollment is likely to
reduce the student's earning potential and must be signed by the student and the student's parent. The school
district must notify the student's parent of receipt of the student's declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment.
The student's guidance counselor or other school personnel must conduct an exit interview with the student to
determine the reasons for the student's decision to terminate school enrollment and actions that could be taken to
keep the student in school. The student must be informed of opportunities to continue his or her education in a
different environment, including, but not limited to, adult education and GED test preparation. Additionally, the
student must complete a survey in a format prescribed by the Department of Education to provide data on student
reasons for terminating enrollment and actions taken by schools to keep students enrolled.
d) Students who become or have become married and students who are pregnant shall not be prohibited from
attending school. These students and students who are parents shall receive the same educational instruction or its
equivalent as other students, but may voluntarily be assigned to a class or program suited to their special needs.
Consistent with s. 1003.54, pregnant or parenting teens may participate in a teenage parent program. Pregnant
students may attend alternative education programs or adult education programs, provided that the curriculum allows
the student to continue to work toward a high school diploma.
(e) Consistent with rules adopted by the State Board of Education, children with disabilities who have attained the
age of 3 years shall be eligible for admission to public special education programs and for related services. Children
with disabilities younger than 3 years of age who are deaf or hard of hearing; visually impaired; dual sensory
impaired; orthopedically impaired; other health impaired; who have experienced traumatic brain injury; who have
autism spectrum disorder; established conditions, or who exhibit developmental delays or intellectual disabilities may
be eligible for special programs and may receive services in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education.
Rules for the identification of established conditions for children birth through 2 years of age and developmental
delays for children birth through 5 years of age must be adopted by the State Board of Education.
(f) Homeless children, as defined in s. 1003.01, must have access to a free public education and must be admitted
to school in the school district in which they or their families live. School districts shall assist homeless children to
meet the requirements of subsection (4) and s. 1003.22, as well as local requirements for documentation.
(2)(a) The State Board of Education may adopt rules under which students not meeting the entrance age may be
transferred from another state if their parents have been legal residents of that state.
(b) Each district school board, in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education, shall adopt a policy that
authorizes a parent to request and be granted permission for absence of a student from school for religious
instruction or religious holidays.
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(3) The district school superintendent may authorize certificates of exemptions from school attendance requirements
in certain situations. Students within the compulsory attendance age limits who hold valid certificates of exemption
that have been issued by the superintendent shall be exempt from attending school. A certificate of exemption shall
cease to be valid at the end of the school year in which it is issued.
(4) Before admitting a child to kindergarten, the principal shall require evidence that the child has attained the age at
which he or she should be admitted in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (1)(a)2. The district school
superintendent may require evidence of the age of any child whom he or she believes to be within the limits of
compulsory attendance as provided for by law. If the first prescribed evidence is not available, the next evidence
obtainable in the order set forth below shall be accepted:
(a) A duly attested transcript of the child's birth record filed according to law with a public officer charged with the
duty of recording births;
(b) A duly attested transcript of a certificate of baptism showing the date of birth and place of baptism of the child,
accompanied by an affidavit sworn to by the parent;
(c) An insurance policy on the child's life that has been in force for at least 2 years;
(d) A bona fide contemporary religious record of the child's birth accompanied by an affidavit sworn to by the parent;
(e) A passport or certificate of arrival in the United States showing the age of the child;
(f) A transcript of record of age shown in the child's school record of at least 4 years prior to application, stating date
of birth; or
(g) If none of these evidences can be produced, an affidavit of age sworn to by the parent, accompanied by a
certificate of age signed by a public health officer or by a public school physician, or, if neither of these is available in
the county, by a licensed practicing physician designated by the district school board, which certificate states that the
health officer or physician has examined the child and believes that the age as stated in the affidavit is substantially
correct. A homeless child, as defined in s. 1003.01, shall be given temporary exemption from this section for 30
school days.
Chapter 1003.23 Attendance Records and Reports
(1) The attendance of all public K-12 school students shall be checked each school day in the manner prescribed by
rules of the State Board of Education and recorded in the teacher's register or by some approved system of
recording attendance. Students may be counted in attendance only if they are actually present at school or are away
from school on a school day and are engaged in an educational activity which constitutes a part of the schoolapproved instructional program for the student.
(2) All officials, teachers, and other employees in public, parochial, religious, denominational, and private K-12
schools, including private tutors, shall keep all records and shall prepare and submit promptly all reports that may be
required by law and by rules of the State Board of Education and district school boards. Such records shall include a
register of enrollment and attendance and all persons described above shall make these reports there from as may
be required by the State Board of Education. The enrollment register shall show the absence or attendance of each
student enrolled for each school day of the year in a manner prescribed by the State Board of Education. The
register shall be open for the inspection by the designated school representative or the district school superintendent
of the district in which the school is located. Violation of the provisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor of the
second degree, punishable as provided by law. This section shall not apply to home education programs provided in
s. 1002.41.
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1003.26 Enforcement of School Attendance
The Legislature finds that poor academic performance is associated with nonattendance and that school districts
must take an active role in promoting and enforcing attendance as a means of improving student performance. It is
the policy of the state that each district school superintendent be responsible for enforcing school attendance of all
students subject to the compulsory school age in the school district and supporting enforcement of school
attendance by local law enforcement agencies. The responsibility includes recommending policies and procedures to
the district school board that require public schools to respond in a timely manner to every unexcused absence, and
every absence for which the reason is unknown, of students enrolled in the schools. District school board policies
shall require the parent of a student to justify each absence of the student, and that justification will be evaluated
based on adopted district school board policies that define excused and unexcused absences. The policies must
provide that public schools track excused and unexcused absences and contact the home in the case of an
unexcused absence from school, or an absence from school for which the reason is unknown, to prevent the
development of patterns of nonattendance. The Legislature finds that early intervention in school attendance is the
most effective way of producing good attendance habits that will lead to improved student learning and achievement.
Each public school shall implement the following steps to promote and enforce regular school attendance:
(1) Contact, Refer, and Enforce
(a) Upon each unexcused absence, or absence for which the reason is unknown, the school principal or his or her
designee shall contact the student's parent to determine the reason for the absence. If the absence is an excused
absence, as defined by district school board policy, the school shall provide opportunities for the student to make up
assigned work and not receive an academic penalty unless the work is not made up within a reasonable time.
(b) If a student has had at least five unexcused absences, or absences for which the reasons are unknown, within a
calendar month or 10 unexcused absences, or absences for which the reasons are unknown, within a 90-calendarday period, the student's primary teacher shall report to the school principal or his or her designee that the student
may be exhibiting a pattern of nonattendance. The principal shall, unless there is clear evidence that the absences
are not a pattern of nonattendance, refer the case to the school's child study team to determine if early patterns of
truancy are developing. If the child study team finds that a pattern of nonattendance is developing, whether the
absences are excused or not, a meeting with the parent must be scheduled to identify potential remedies, and the
principal shall notify the district school superintendent and the school district contact for home education programs
that the referred student is exhibiting a pattern of nonattendance.
(c) If an initial meeting does not resolve the problem, the child study team shall implement the following:
1. Frequent attempts at communication between the teacher and the family
2. Evaluation for alternative education programs
3. Attendance contracts
The child study team may, but is not required to, implement other interventions, including referral to other agencies
for family services or recommendation for filing a truancy petition pursuant to s. 984.151.
(d) The child study team shall be diligent in facilitating intervention services and shall report the case to the district
school superintendent only when all reasonable efforts to resolve the nonattendance behavior are exhausted.
(e) If the parent refuses to participate in the remedial strategies because he or she believes that those strategies are
unnecessary or inappropriate, the parent may appeal to the district school board. The district school board may
provide a hearing officer, and the hearing officer shall make a recommendation for final action to the district school
board. If the district school board's final determination is that the strategies of the child study team are appropriate,
and the parent still refuses to participate or cooperate, the district school superintendent may seek criminal
prosecution for noncompliance with compulsory school attendance.
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(f)1. If the parent of a child who has been identified as exhibiting a pattern of nonattendance enrolls the child in a
home education program pursuant to chapter 1002, the district school superintendent shall provide the parent a copy
of s. 1002.41 and the accountability requirements of this paragraph. The district school superintendent shall also
refer the parent to a home education review committee composed of the district contact for home education
programs and at least two home educators selected by the parent from a district list of all home educators who have
conducted a home education program for at least 3 years and who have indicated a willingness to serve on the
committee. The home education review committee shall review the portfolio of the student, as defined by s. 1002.41,
every 30 days during the district's regular school terms until the committee is satisfied that the home education
program is in compliance with s. 1002.41(1)(b). The first portfolio review must occur within the first 30 calendar days
of the establishment of the program. The provisions of subparagraph 2. do not apply once the committee determines
the home education program is in compliance with s. 1002.41(1)(b).
2. If the parent fails to provide a portfolio to the committee, the committee shall notify the district school
superintendent. The district school superintendent shall then terminate the home education program and require the
parent to enroll the child in an attendance option that meets the definition of "regular school attendance" under s.
1003.01(13)(a), (b), (c), or (e), within 3 days. Upon termination of a home education program pursuant to this
subparagraph, the parent shall not be eligible to reenroll the child in a home education program for 180 calendar
days. Failure of a parent to enroll the child in an attendance option as required by this subparagraph after termination
of the home education program pursuant to this subparagraph shall constitute noncompliance with the compulsory
attendance requirements of s. 1003.21 and may result in criminal prosecution under s. 1003.27(2). Nothing
contained herein shall restrict the ability of the district school superintendent, or the ability of his or her designee, to
review the portfolio pursuant to s. 1002.41(1)(b).
(g) If a student subject to compulsory school attendance will not comply with attempts to enforce school attendance,
the parent or the district school superintendent or his or her designee shall refer the case to the case staffing
committee pursuant to s. 984.12, and the district school superintendent or his or her designee may file a truancy
petition pursuant to the procedures in s. 984.151.
(2) Give Written Notice
(a) Under the direction of the district school superintendent, a designated school representative shall give written
notice that requires enrollment or attendance within 3 days after the date of notice, in person or by return-receipt
mail, to the parent when no valid reason is found for a student's nonenrollment in school. If the notice and
requirement are ignored, the designated school representative shall report the case to the district school
superintendent, and may refer the case to the case staffing committee, established pursuant to s. 984.12. The district
school superintendent shall take such steps as are necessary to bring criminal prosecution against the parent.
(b) Subsequent to the activities required under subsection (1), the district school superintendent or his or her
designee shall give written notice in person or by return-receipt mail to the parent that criminal prosecution is being
sought for nonattendance. The district school superintendent may file a truancy petition, as defined in s. 984.03,
following the procedures outlined in s. 984.151.
(3) Return Student to Parent: A designated school representative may visit the home or place of residence of a
student and any other place in which he or she is likely to find any student who is required to attend school when the
student is not enrolled or is absent from school during school hours without an excuse, and, when the student is
found, shall return the student to his or her parent or to the principal or teacher in charge of the school, or to the
private tutor from whom absent, or to the juvenile assessment center or other location established by the district
school board to receive students who are absent from school. Upon receipt of the student, the parent shall be
immediately notified.
(4) Report to Appropriate Authority: A designated school representative shall report to the appropriate authority
designated by law to receive such notices, all violations of the Child Labor Law that may come to his or her
knowledge.
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(5) Right to Inspect: A designated school representative shall have the right of access to, and inspection of,
establishments where minors may be employed or detained only for the purpose of ascertaining whether students of
compulsory school age are actually employed there and are actually working there regularly. The designated school
representative shall, if he or she finds unsatisfactory working conditions or violations of the Child Labor Law, report
his or her findings to the appropriate authority.
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Chapter 1003.27 Court Procedure and Penalties: The court procedure and penalties for the enforcement of the
provisions of this part, relating to compulsory school attendance, shall be as follows:
(1) Court Jurisdiction: The circuit court has original and exclusive jurisdiction of all proceedings against, or
prosecutions of, students under the provisions of this part. Proceedings against, or prosecutions of, parents or
employers as provided by this section shall be in the court of each county having jurisdiction of misdemeanors
wherein trial by jury is afforded the defendant.
(2) Nonenrollment and Nonattendance Cases
(a) In each case of nonenrollment or of nonattendance upon the part of a student who is required to attend some
school, when no valid reason for such nonenrollment or nonattendance is found, the district school superintendent
shall institute a criminal prosecution against the student's parent.
(b) Each public school principal or the principal's designee shall notify the district school board of each minor student
under its jurisdiction who accumulates 15 unexcused absences in a period of 90 calendar days. Each designee of
the governing body of each private school, and each parent whose child is enrolled in a home education program,
may provide the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles with the legal name, sex, date of birth, and social
security number of each minor student under his or her jurisdiction who fails to satisfy relevant attendance
requirements and who fails to otherwise satisfy the requirements of s. 322.091. The district school superintendent
must provide the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles the legal name, sex, date of birth, and social
security number of each minor student who has been reported under this paragraph and who fails to otherwise
satisfy the requirements of s. 322.091. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles may not issue a
driver's license or learner's driver's license to, and shall suspend any previously issued driver's license or learner's
driver's license of, any such minor student, pursuant to the provisions of s. 322.091.
3) Habitual Truancy Cases: The district school superintendent is authorized to file a truancy petition, as defined in s.
984.03, following the procedures outlined in s. 984.151. If the district school superintendent chooses not to file a
truancy petition, procedures for filing a child-in-need-of-services petition shall be commenced pursuant to this
subsection and chapter 984. In accordance with procedures established by the district school board, the designated
school representative shall refer a student who is habitually truant and the student's family to the children-in-need-ofservices and families-in-need-of-services provider or the case staffing committee, established pursuant to s. 984.12,
as determined by the cooperative agreement required in this section. The case staffing committee may request the
Department of Juvenile Justice or its designee to file a child-in-need-of-services petition based upon the report and
efforts of the district school board or other community agency or may seek to resolve the truant behavior through the
school or community-based organizations or agencies. Prior to and subsequent to the filing of a child-in-need-ofservices petition due to habitual truancy, the appropriate governmental agencies must allow a reasonable time to
complete actions required by this section and s. 1003.26 to remedy the conditions leading to the truant behavior.
Prior to the filing of a petition, the district school board must have complied with the requirements of s. 1003.26, and
those efforts must have been unsuccessful.
(4) Cooperative Agreements: The circuit manager of the Department of Juvenile Justice or the circuit manager's
designee, the district administrator of the Department of Children and Family Services or the district administrator's
designee, and the district school superintendent or the superintendent's designee must develop a cooperative
interagency agreement that:
(a) Clearly defines each department's role, responsibility, and function in working with habitual truants and their
families.
(b) Identifies and implements measures to resolve and reduce truant behavior.
(c) Addresses issues of streamlining service delivery, the appropriateness of legal intervention, case management,
the role and responsibility of the case staffing committee, student and parental intervention and involvement, and
community action plans.
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Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
(d) Delineates timeframes for implementation and identifies a mechanism for reporting results by the circuit juvenile
justice manager or the circuit manager's designee and the district school superintendent or the superintendent's
designee to the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Education and other governmental entities as
needed.
(e) Designates which agency is responsible for each of the intervention steps in this section, to yield more effective
and efficient intervention services.
(5) Attendance Register as Evidence: The register of attendance of students at a public, parochial, religious,
denominational, or private school, or of students taught by a private tutor, kept in compliance with rules of the State
Board of Education is prima facie evidence of the facts which it is required to show. A certified copy of any rule and a
statement of the date of its adoption by the State Board of Education is admissible as prima facie evidence of the
provisions of the rule and of the date of its adoption.
(6) Proceedings and Prosecutions; Who May Begin: Proceedings or prosecutions under this chapter may be
commenced by the district school superintendent, by a designated school representative, by the probation officer of
the county, by the executive officer of any court of competent jurisdiction, by an officer of any court of competent
jurisdiction, or by a duly authorized agent of the Department of Education or the Department of Juvenile Justice. If a
proceeding has been commenced against both a parent and a child pursuant to this chapter, the presiding courts
shall make every effort to coordinate sanctions against the child and parent, including ordering the child and parent
to perform community service hours or attend counseling together.
(7) Penalties: The penalties for refusing or failing to comply with this chapter shall be as follows:
(a) The parent
1. A parent who refuses or fails to have a minor student who is under his or her control attend school regularly, or
who refuses or fails to comply with the requirements in subsection (3), commits a misdemeanor of the second
degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
2. The continued or habitual absence of a minor student without the consent of the principal or teacher in charge of
the school he or she attends or should attend, or of the tutor who instructs or should instruct him or her, is prima facie
evidence of a violation of this chapter; however, a showing that the parent has made a bona fide and diligent effort to
control and keep the student in school shall be an affirmative defense to any criminal or other liability under this
subsection and the court shall refer the parent and child for counseling, guidance, or other needed services.
3. In addition to any other punishment, the court shall order a parent who has violated this section to send the minor
student to school, and may also order the parent to participate in an approved parent training class, attend school
with the student unless this would cause undue hardship, perform community service hours at the school, or
participate in counseling or other services, as appropriate. If a parent is ordered to attend school with a student, the
school shall provide for programming to educate the parent and student on the importance of school attendance. It
shall be unlawful to terminate any employee solely because he or she is attending school with his or her child
pursuant to a court order.
(b) The principal or teacher.--A principal or teacher in any public, parochial, religious, denominational, or private
school, or a private tutor who willfully violates any provision of this chapter may, upon satisfactory proof of such
violation, have his or her certificate revoked by the Department of Education.
(c) The Employer
1. An employer who fails to notify the district school superintendent when he or she ceases to employ a student
commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
2. An employer who terminates any employee solely because he or she is attending school with a student pursuant
to court order commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(d) The Student
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Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
1. In addition to any other authorized sanctions, the court shall order a student found to be a habitual truant to make
up all school work missed and may order the student to pay a civil penalty of up to $2, based on the student's ability
to pay, for each day of school missed, perform up to 25 community service hours at the school, or participate in
counseling or other services, as appropriate.
2. Upon a second or subsequent finding that a student is a habitual truant, the court, in addition to any other
authorized sanctions, shall order the student to make up all school work missed and may order the student to pay a
civil penalty of up to $5, based on the student's ability to pay, for each day of school missed, perform up to 50
community service hours at the school, or participate in counseling or other services, as appropriate.
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Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
School Social Worker Assignments 08/09
Senior Manager – Social Work Services
534-0024
David Aranda
Jackie Bryan
Margie Cardona-Opio
SW Middle
413-3301/57962 Office
McLaughlin Middle
Lake Hamilton Center
298-5619/51847 Office
Elementary
Jesse Keen
Oscar J. Pope
Southwest
Elementary
Ben Hill Griffin
Frostproof
Spook Hill
Middle
Southwest
Senior
George Jenkins
Charter
Lakeland Mont. School
Life Skills Center
Additional Assignments
Bilingual Spanish
Diane Joiner
Gause Academy
519-8886/58564 Office
519-3716 FAX
Elementary
Floral Avenue
Gibbons
Lewis Anna Woodbury
Sikes / R. Bruce Wagner
Middle
Fort Meade
Gause Academy Grade 6-12
Senior
Fort Meade
Gause Academy Grade 6-12
Charter
Middle
Frostproof
McLaughlin
Senior
TBA
Elementary
Dundee
Polk City
Laurel Oaks
Karen Siegel
Middle
Lake Alfred Addair
Elementary
Middle
Senior
Senior
Charter
Charter
Frostproof
Charter
Babson Park
Hillcrest
Polk Avenue
Additional Assignments
Gail Kimsey
Highlands Grover Elementary
981-0207 Pager
Elementary
Combee / Valleyview
Crystal Lake
Highlands Grove
Cleveland Court
Middle
Crystal Lake
Additional Assignments
Bilingual Spanish
Rose Marie Laurel
N. Ctrl. Support Services
291-5315 SB / 291-5313 VM
291-5113 FAX
Spanish Bilingual Referrals
Senior
Tenoroc
LHS / Harrison SOTA
Charter
S. McKeel Elem. Academies
Additional Assignments
Elementary
Lake Alfred
Bethune
Middle
Boone
Dundee Ridge
Senior
Haines City
Charter
Additional Assignments
Joel Lieberman
Debbie LoCicero
Sleepy Hill Elementary
815-6788 Office
Eagle Lake Elementary
298-5463/58558 Office
291-5360 FAX
Elementary
Kathleen
North Lakeland
Sleepy Hill
Socrum
Middle
Kathleen
Kathleen
Elementary
Brigham Academy
Eagle Lake
Inwood
Jewett SOTA
Middle
Denison
Jewett Academy
Senior
Winter Haven
Charter
Foundation Charter
Charter
COL Collegiate
Senior
Page 57
Ishmus Hill
Lake Hamilton Center
298-5599/51811
Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
School Social Worker Assignments 08/09
Senior Manager – Social Work Services
534-0024
Cheryl Marino
Sandra Marra
Lake Hamilton Center
298-5609/51819
Lake Hamilton Center
Elementary
Auburndale Central
Boswell
Caldwell
Lena Vista
Middle
Elementary
Lake Marion Creek
Horizons
Palmetto
TBA
Elementary
Additional Assignments
Barbara Pido
N. Ctrl. Support Services
291-5315 SB / 291-5313 VM
291-5113 FAX / 981-0185 Pager
Elementary
Garden Grove
Lake Shipp
Pinewood
Snively SOC
Nancy Nunn
Bush House
413-3300/57961 Office
Elementary
Churchwell
Dr. NE Roberts
Padgett
Wendell Watson
Winston
Middle
Middle
Middle
Lake Gibson
Senior
Ridge Community
Charter
Senior
Senior
Lake Gibson
Charter
Stambaugh
Senior
Auburndale
Charter
Berkley Accelerated
Berkley Elementary
Francine Milton
Padgett Elementary
815-6681/55146 Office
853-6092 FAX
Charter
Additional Assignments
Bilingual Spanish
Lupe Ramos-Lester
Roosevelt Academy
679-4438/57444
981-0128 Pager
Elementary
Chain of Lakes
Elbert
Garner
Wahneta
Additional Assignments
Additional Assignments
Elementary
Blake Academy
Dixieland
Griffin / Medulla
Philip O’Brien / Scott Lk.
Lincoln
Rochelle SOTA
Middle
Lawton Chiles
Rochelle SOTA
Sleepy Hill
Senior
Doris A. Sanders / Mulberry
Charter
Achievement Acad. Lakeland
A.C.E.
Central Fl. Sp/Hearing
Additional Assignments
Heather Rimes
Jennifer Rojas
Debbie Wiley
Scott Lake Elementary
499-2821/66204 Office
701-1076 School FAX
Bartow Airbase Rm. 129
Lake Hamilton Center
298-5569/51810 Office
Elementary
Temporary Leave
Elementary
Alturas
Bartow Elem. Academy
Stephens
Kingsford
Elementary
Alta Vista
Eastside
Sandhill
Loughman Oaks
Barbara Pido
Lupe Ramos-Lester
Heather Rimes
Jennifer Rojas
Debbie Wiley
N. Ctrl. Support Services
291-5315 SB / 291-5313 VM
Roosevelt Academy
679-4438/57444
Scott Lake Elementary
499-2821/66204 Office
Bartow Airbase Rm. 129
Lake Hamilton Center
298-5569/51810 Office
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Attendance Handbook for School Personnel
291-5113 FAX / 981-0185 Pager
981-0128 Pager
Middle
Middle
Middle
Temporary Leave
Senior
Senior
Westwood
Roosevelt
Senior
Lake Region
Roosevelt
Charter
Achievement Academy WH
PCC Collegiate HS
Additional Assignments
Multidisciplinary Team
Charter
J.H. Wilson
Lake Wales
Our Childrens Academy
Additional Assignments
Bilingual Spanish
Page 59
701-1076 School FAX
Charter
Additional Assignments
Middle
Bartow / Mulberry
Polk Life & Learning
Union Academy
Senior
Bartow
Charter
Achievement Academy
Compass
Additional Assignments
Bilingual Spanish
Middle
Daniel Jenkins
Senior
Davenport SOTA
Charter
Additional Assignments
PEC Ishmus Hill