Attendance Rate

The Attendance rate reflects the percentage of students present in school for at least half the average school day during the school year.

1. Attendance Rate Elementary - The percent average daily attendance of elementary students (grades 1 through 5), including ungraded special education students under age 11. Summer school is excluded.
2. Middle - The percent average daily attendance of middle school students (grades 6 through 8), including ungraded special education students age 11 through 13. Summer school is excluded.
3. High - The percent average daily attendance of high school students (grades 9 through 12) including ungraded special education students ages 14 and over. Summer school is excluded.

The average daily attendance for a given year is based on the aggregate number of enrolled students who are present in school each day from the first day of school through March 15th. The percent average daily attendance is calculated by dividing the aggregate number of students in attendance by the aggregate number of students in membership for the same time frame.

For reporting purposes, attendance and absence are counted in ½ day units. A student is counted as present for ½ day if in attendance any part of the school day. A student is counted as absent for ½ day if absent any part of the school day. Students in attendance for more than half a day are counted as present for a full day. Students absent for more than half day are counted as absent for a full day.

Students are counted present only if actually at school or if at another place at a school activity sponsored by the school and supervised by a member of the school staff.

The following definitions are the minimum standards for attendance as defined by the State Board of Education. Local Boards of Education may set more stringent standards.

A student is counted present only if actually at school or present at another place at a school activity that is sponsored by the school and is personally supervised by a member or members of the school staff. This may include authorized independent study, work-study programs, field trips, athletic events, contests, music festivals, student conventions, instruction for homebound students, and similar activities when officially authorized under policies of the local school board. It does not include making up school work at home, or activities supervised or sponsored by private groups or individuals. Excused (lawful) and unexcused (unlawful) absences are both counted as absences.

Attendance rate is computed by dividing the aggregate number of days attending by the aggregate days of membership.

Reported since November 1990: System and State levels.
Reported since November 1991: School, System, and State levels.

The percentage of students absent from school fewer than 5 days (i.e. 4.5 or fewer days) during the September to June school year. Summer school attendance is excluded.

The percentage is computed by dividing the number of students absent fewer than 5 days by the number of students in membership more than 90 days at a given school during the September to June school year.

Reported since November 1991: School, System, and State levels.

The percentage of students absent from school more than 20 days (i.e., 20.5) during the September to June school year. Summer school attendance is excluded.

The percentage is computed by dividing the number of students absent more than 20 days by the number of students in membership more than 90 days at a given school during the September to June school year.

Reported since November 1991: School, System, and State levels.