Attendance 10-day Rule
What is the 10-Day Rule?
When a student is absent for 10 consecutive day without an acceptable reason, we must considered those days as unexcused absences (AU.) If the parent informs us and their explanation is one of the reasons the AOE considers as excused, then the days are reported as excused absences (AE.) Refer to this article for a description of what the AOE considers excused absences. If the student accumulates 10 consecutive unexcused absences, then AOE regulations mandate we transfer the student out using the "Discontinued Schooling" exit code, which they deem as meaning the student dropped out (there are several exit codes that the AOE considers as drop out codes. Refer to this article.)
Obviously, we don't ever want to drop out students. We can reduce the number of students considered dropped out by using the AOE sub-rule to the 10-day rule. That rule says that if someone at the school contacts the parents AND the parent gives a reason that the AOE considers an excused absence, that day of contact turns that day from an absent day to a present day. Then the consecutive days count starts over with the day after the day of contact being the first day of absence (if the student is absent that day.)
Note: You must speak to the parent. Leaving a message or sending an email or robocall is not sufficient.
Email received from Glenn (AOE) on 10/26/2021:
If the parent can confirm that the absence should be excused you would change it from an unexcused absence to an excused absence, at which point truancy is not an issue as it is only unexcused absences that are considered to be truant. If the parent cannot give an excusable reason for the students absence they would remain as unexcused absences. Simple contact is not enough, they must supply a valid reason for the absences or they would continue to be unexcused.
In order for this to work for the student's benefit, all staff who
communicates with parents and guardians should be informed of the
process and procedure. In addition, each school must decide who is going
to be tracking the number of days absent so that contact is initiated before the 10th day of absence.
Who is This Document For?
Counselors, Principals, Admin Assistants, Case Managers, EL Liaisons, and all other relevant administrative staff.
Example Record Without the 10-Day Rule
The screenshot below shows an example of a student's attendance record. Note that the student is absent for 10 days. On the 11th day, he must be transferred out. Then he/she/they came back to school and had to be re-enrolled.
Example Record With the 10-Day Rule
Using the 10 day rule to prevent the student from being coded as a "drop out," any school representative needs to contact the parent or guardian (talk to them, not leave a message, not send a letter,) and per response by AOE above, if the parent gives a reason that is considered an excused absence we can regard that day as present and not absent. A school representative can be anyone who works with a student. Case Managers, Counselors, EL Liaisons, Admin Assistants, Planning Room staff, etc.
Look at the below screen shot to see how this would be recorded. We use the absent code CAC for the day that contact was made. You can see after that code, the absences start over at 1. This is the key...contact, contact, contact. And to prove that we did so, you must log the contact in the student record (instructions below.) If a Case Manager is tracking communication in Goalview, the PS log entry can merely say: "Contact Made 10/26/2021 - See Goalview. GJO." It's important that all contact be logged so that we can keep resetting that count. If Case Managers make contact and no one knows that, we may be dropping out a student when we wouldn't have to. So our motivation is to save the student from being classified as a drop out, which is something that would state on his state record forever. And it is important that we have the log entry so we can prove the activity if the AOE were ever to ask for the verification of contact.
Attendance Codes
Use code AE for excused absences.
Use code AU for unexcused absences. If after contacting the parent, there is an acceptable reason for the absences, then change the attendance code to AE (excused absences.)
Use code CAC when contact is made with the parent/guardian (speaking to them.) This code is considered a present day and not an absent day.
Note: 11/3/2021: It was decided (Karyn, Gloria and Teresa) that making log entries is not necessary. This is based on a conversation with Glenn Bouchard at the AOE. He responded that he knew of no logging requirement for the 10 day rule and that usually the truant office is the one that makes contact.
If you have any questions about a particular situation, contact your guidance counselor for the details of the student's situation. If you have any questions about the 10-Day rule, contact Karyn Vogel or Teresa G.
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