In an ideal world, everyone would go to school every day. Students learn faster and better in class, which helps them to improve their social skills.
Sometimes, people can’t make it to school. Sickness is the most common reason students are absent. Unwellness can make it difficult to pay attention to lectures. Some illnesses are easily transmitted. The bad flu could make you a biological weapon if you go to school.
When something more important occurs, it is acceptable to skip school. School is not allowed to be missed for reasons such as the death of a family member or a doctor’s appointment. It’s fine to choose school over something that can’t move to another time if it has a significant impact on the student’s daily life.
What about unexcused absences? What are schools’ policies on unexcused absences? How many school days can you skip if there is a good reason?
It depends. Each school district has its own rules. Some districts allow more flexibility in the number of absences that a student can take while others have stricter rules.
There are also extreme circumstances that allow students to be absent from school for longer than the school allows.
It is important to distinguish between excused absences and unexcused absences. If you are excused, this means that you have good reasons to miss school. The latter indicates that you didn’t skip school. It was because you didn’t want school.
We will be discussing when and how long you can miss school. We’ll also show you how to get around the limit without losing a school year.
A good reason to skip school is needed
School is not something you can skip. You can, but you will face consequences.
There are two types: excused or unexcused absences. In all cases, unexcused absences can be considered bad. This means that you have skipped school without good reason.
Schools consider unexcused absences to be terrible. You could be suspended or expelled from school if you have more than three unexcused absences.
Excused absences refer to absences when you have a valid reason not to go to school.
Let’s look at these two types.
Excused Absences
Each school has a policy that defines excused absences. An excused absence is an official reason for a student’s absence. These are the three types of excused absences.
- Illness
- Consultations with a doctor
- Family emergencies
These conditions all affect the well-being of students, as you can see. These conditions are so that students can get the most from lectures. To ensure that the student is healthy, it is necessary to visit a doctor. Students can transmit illnesses to others if they are unable to pay attention. Events that affect the health of family members are called family emergencies.
Imagine how difficult it would be to learn in school when your mother is in hospital after a car accident. Because the school is sensitive to this struggle, it accepts that students may be absent in these circumstances.
Unexcused Absences
Unexcused absences are when a student is absent from school without a valid reason or with an explanation not acceptable to the school.
Schools will try to find out what happened to students and, if they don’t succeed, will write letters to the student. Students who are absent for no good reason will be declared truants by the school.
Truancy should not be on your resume. Three letters of truancy will result in you being referred to Student Attendance Review Board (SARB), for legal action. It will have a lasting impact on your entire life. Truants are not something anyone likes.
What is Chronic Absenteeism? Why it’s bad
Chronic absenteeism refers to a student who misses too many school days. Even excused absences are acceptable. You will have problems with your school if you are considered one.
This condition has one major problem: students who are chronically absentees are often considered to be at academic risk. They won’t be able to finish their education on time. They may also be at risk of dropping out.
It doesn’t matter if you are excused from school. It is bad to skip school too often. It is a waste of time and you are jeopardizing the quality of your education. Don’t do it.
How many are too many? Many school districts allow students the right to be absent up to 10% of the school year, provided that the absences can be excused. You can have 18 excused absences during the standard school year, which lasts 180 days.
If you exceed that number, you will be considered a chronic absentee.
Warning: chronic absences tend to do worse in academic courses. By not attending school, you are making it more difficult for yourself. What are you doing to make school more difficult? Is it worthwhile?
Is it possible to salvage a year after too many absences?
Sometimes, you have no choice. Sometimes you just have to go to school. You may be unable to attend school because of sicknesses, injuries, or other medical issues.
What can you do?
Contact your school administration immediately. Tell the school administration about your situation and the reasons you are unable to attend school. However, mention that you want to continue your education. Be honest.
Schools will search for a solution if cooperates. It could offer you personalized teaching plans that you can follow at home. You could also have access to virtual classes. You can lose a year due to no fault of yours. Schools are aware of this. They will accommodate you.
Do everything you can to save your education. It is your greatest asset. Do not let outside factors dictate your life.
Conclusions
We have seen that you can be absent for as much as 10% of a school year. That’s about 18 days.
A good reason must be given for you to be absent from school. These are known as excused absences. Excused absences are those that concern the student’s health. Other reasons will not be accepted.
You risk losing your entire school year if you miss too many school days. Even excused absences are acceptable. Contact the school administration if you have any problems attending class.
Truancy is defined as having too many unexcused absences. Truancy can cause many problems in your life. Many universities will reject you for your truancy. Many employers won’t hire you.
The easiest way? Going to school.
However, I know that sometimes it is difficult.
You shouldn’t have any problems as long as you are truthful and don’t skip school for legitimate reasons. If you have more serious issues, be honest about them.