Section 5-E2103. TRUANCY

 

2103.1[Repealed]

 

2103.2A D.C. Public School secondary student who has been marked present in homeroom and subsequently misses four (4) different classes, without permission, during the same day shall be marked “absent unexcused” for both morning and afternoon sessions. The absences shall constitute full-day absences for purposes of the Compulsory School Attendance Act.

 

2103.3D.C. Public School elementary and secondary students who have one unexcused absence from homeroom where attendance has been taken for purposes of the Compulsory School Attendance Act shall receive appropriate attendance services initiated by classroom or homeroom teachers.

 

2103.4Elementary and Secondary students attending D.C. Public Schools shall remain in school until the official close of the school day. The end of the school day is 3:15 p.m. D.C. Public Schools will not recognize early dismissal of students prior to 3:15 p.m. unless such dismissal is related to a lawful reason for absence.

 

2103.5Half-day schedules for students attending D.C. Public Schools are restricted to the following:

 

(a)employed students aged 17 or older whose hours of employment fall within the regular school day; or

 

(b)secondary students attending one of the local colleges or universities.

 

The student's employment and work hours or college schedule must be verified by the local school. Students who are not employed or attending one of the local colleges or universities will have a full schedule as will those whose employment begins after regular school hours.

 

2103.6[Repealed]

 

2103.7D.C. Public School secondary students with five (5) or more unexcused absences in any class during a single advisory shall receive a grade reduction in that subject.

 

2103.8D.C. Public School secondary students with ten (10) or more unexcused absences in any class during a single advisory shall receive a grade of “FA” (failure due to absences) in that subject.

 

2103.9D.C. Public School elementary students accumulating thirty (30) or more unexcused absences within a full school year shall not be promoted.

 

2103.10D.C. Public School secondary students accumulating thirty (30) or more unexcused absences in a course within a full school year shall receive a failing final grade in that course with a resulting loss of course credit.

 

2103.11[Repealed]

 

2103.12[Repealed]

 

2103.13A written appeal may be filed by a parent or student on behalf of any student receiving a reduced or a failing grade(s) due to unexcused absences.

 

2103.14An appeal filed pursuant to § 2103.10 shall be submitted to the principal of the school involved within ten (10) business days after receipt of the failing grade(s).

 

2103.15Upon receipt of an appeal, filed pursuant to § 2103.13, the principal shall appoint an Appeals Panel and shall forward all written appeal requests to the panel chairperson within three (3) business days.

 

2103.16The Appeals Panel referenced in § 2103.15 shall consist of not less than three (3) members to be selected from the following:

 

(a)The principal’s designee, who shall be the panel chairperson;

 

(b)A guidance counselor;

 

(c)A department chairperson;

 

(d)A teacher, other than the one involved;

 

(e)An attendance staff person;

 

(f)A student body representative; or

 

(g)A parent organization representative.

 

2103.17Appropriate substitutions in the Appeals Panel described in § 2103.16 may be made when necessary; provided, that a student body representative shall be on each Appeal Panel.

 

2103.18The Appeals Panel shall hold a hearing within ten (10) calendar days after its appointment by the principal.

 

2103.19The student or his or her parent, guardian or duly authorized representative shall appear at the hearing. One of these individuals shall be given the opportunity to present the student’s case and, upon request, to question the involved teacher and to be duly informed of the panel’s recommendations.

 

2103.20Each appeals panelist, including the chair, shall have an equal vote.

 

2103.21In the case of a tie vote, the Appeals Panel shall recommend that the initial grade be upheld.

 

2103.22The Appeals Panel's recommendation shall be forwarded immediately to the principal who shall issue the Panel's decision within ten (10) calendar days after the hearing.

 

2103.23The student or his or her parent or guardian may appeal the decision of the Appeals Panel by writing to the D.C. Public Schools Student Hearing Office within ten (10) calendar days after receipt of the decision.

 

2103.24When an appeal is filed pursuant to § 2103.23, the Student Hearing Office shall convene a hearing before an independent hearing officer who shall issue the final administrative decision in the matter.

 

2103.25The following procedural guidelines shall apply to hearings convened pursuant to § 2103.24:

 

(a)The burden to show why the grade(s) in question should be changed shall be on the student or his or her parent or guardian;

 

(b)Strict rules of evidence shall not apply;

 

(c)Testimony or evidence shall be heard from both parties; and

 

(d)A written determination shall be issued within five (5) business days of the hearing.

 

authority

Section 3(b)(11) of the State Education Office Establishment Act of 2000 (OSSE Act), effective October 21, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-176; D.C. Official Code §38-2602(b)(11))(2009 Supp.); section 7c(c)(2)(A) of the OSSE Act, effective September 18, 2007 (D.C. Law 17-20; §38-2609(c)(2)(A)) (2009 Supp.); Section 403(a)(14) of the State Board of Education Establishment Act of 2007, effective June 12, 2007 (D.C. Law 17-9; D.C. Official Code §38-2652(a)(14)) (2009 Supp.); and Article II of An Act to provide for compulsory school attendance, for the taking of a school census in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes, approved February 4, 1925 (43 Stat. 806; D.C. Official Code §§38-202 et seq.) (2001 and 2009 Supp).

source

Final Rulemaking published at 40 DCR 1573, 1574 (February 26, 1993); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 53 DCR 8462 (October 20, 2006); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 56 DCR 8978 (November 20, 2009).