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Student Attendance & Truancy Policy

Students are expected to be in school and on time for every scheduled school day.  Students are expected to remain in the program for the entirety of the scheduled day.

Absences are considered excused for illness, including the mental or behavioral health of the student, observance of a religious holiday, death in the immediate family, or family emergency.  Parents must contact the North Cook Young Adult Academy program every day the parent wishes to excuse a student for absence or tardiness.  Parents should contact the school office at 847-803-3705. All absences that do not fit into the valid causes listed above will be considered unexcused.

Consistent student attendance is essential for the success of the students participating in our program. Students who develop an attendance pattern that has a negative impact on their school performance may have their class schedule adjusted and may lose the ability to earn academic credit for the semester. 

If a student’s attendance falls below 95%, an attendance letter will be sent home to parents/guardians. NCYAA may initiate a home visit after multiple unexcused absences and no contact with the parent/guardian. If a student’s attendance falls below 80%, a referral will be made to the Regional Office for attendance support. Other attendance requirements, specific to the student, may be listed on each student’s Alternative Education Plan or Student Success Plan.

Excused Absences

The following are valid causes for a student’s absence: 

  • Illness, including the mental or behavioral health of the student
  • Observance of a religious holiday
  • Death in the immediate family or family emergency
  • Other situations beyond the control of the student, as determined by school administration
  • Such other circumstances that cause reasonable concern to the parent for the mental, emotional, or physical health or safety of the student

Attendance Procedure 

When a student is absent for any reason, parents must call or send an electronic communication to school staff and the student’s transportation company before the start of the school day.  The student will be considered truant for that day until a parent or guardian communicates a valid reason.  For students who have been absent for three or more consecutive school days due to mental, emotional, or physical health concerns, the parent/guardian must submit a written doctor’s note.  Chronically absent students will be required to submit doctor’s notes for subsequent absences.  The NCYAA Staff may interview students/parents and guardians, review medical documents, and conduct home visits to identify causes of unexcused absences.

A “truant” is defined as a child who is subject to compulsory school attendance and who is absent without valid cause, as defined in the Illinois School Code, from such attendance for more than 1% but less than 5% of the past 180 school days. 

Interventions and Resources

NCYAA Staff will implement interventions and provide resources for students and families based on need.

  • Truancy letter to document absence

  • Mandatory parent attendance meeting

  • Implementation of an attendance contract with positive supports

  • Home visits from NCYAA or home school staff

  • Referral to community individual or family counseling supports

  • Referral to community substance abuse programs

  • Referral to school refusal programs

  • Referral to the NCISC Attendance Support Program  

School-Wide Truancy Data

NCYAA Staff will review student attendance data and implement individual and school-wide interventions to support positive growth that relates to the School Improvement Plan and individual student plans.  The NCYAA website will post school-wide truancy data reports at the end of each term. 

This policy can be found in the NCYAA Parent/Student Handbook.

 

Updated  9/30/24