Students who are physically in the school building, or on a school-sponsored field trip, or in OSS, may be absent from all of their classes for the entire day. However, for state reporting purposes, they should be considered present for the day. By flagging “Daily Present” on the appropriate Period Attendance Reasons, such as “Field Trip,” “Guidance,” and “Nurse,” the student will be considered Present for the day.
Absent Reasons and the Daily Present
When Daily Present Attendance Reasons are utilized for Absences, the Attendance Closeout process will update students’ Daily Attendance Status to Daily Present (DP).
Example: If “In-School Suspension” (ISS) is set up as a Daily Present Reason and a student is marked Absent from all of their classes that day with the “In-School Suspension” Reason, the Attendance Closeout process will update their Daily Attendance Status to Daily Present (DP).
Tardy Reasons and the Daily Present
Attendance Reasons that would be entered in students’ Daily Attendance Status for Tardy should not have the Daily Present option selected. For example, “Missed Bus” is a Reason that can be used when a student is Tardy. If this Reason has the Daily Present option flagged, then the Attendance Closeout process will push Daily Present to the student’s Daily Attendance Status. This Reason should not have the Daily Present option flagged so that the system will maintain the Tardy Time and Status entered for students’ Daily Attendance.
However, Attendance Reasons that would be entered for students’ Period Attendance for Tardy may be set with the Daily Present option.
Example: “Band” is a typical Reason entered when a student is Tardy for a class period. Scout Finch is late to Period 1 (Homeroom). She came to class at 8:15 due to an early morning band rehearsal for the Spring Recital.
In Scout’s school, Period 1 is set as the Closeout Default. Therefore, whatever Attendance Status is entered in Period 1 will drive the students’ Daily Attendance Status when the Attendance Closeout is run.
If “Band” has the Daily Present option flagged, then the Attendance Closeout process will push a Daily Present (DP) Status to Scout’s Daily Attendance Status and she will be marked DP for the school day.
If “Band” does not have the Daily Present option flagged, then the Attendance Closeout process will push a Tardy Status and the Tardy Time of 8:15 to Scout’s Daily Attendance Status and she will be marked Tardy to school.
Next Steps
To learn more about attendance setup, visit New Attendance Reason.