School Social Workers

Attendance Requirements

Georgia legislators have created several laws to encourage student attendance that are embedded in the attendance requirements. In addition, the Georgia Board of Education has adopted a policy on student attendance. The Forsyth County Board of Education policy and procedures reflects the state laws and Georgia Board of Education policy.

Attendance Notice

The Compulsory Education Law, O.C.G.A. 20-2-690.1, requires that every parent / guardian and every child who is 10 years or older by September 1 shall sign a statement indicating that they have been informed of the possible consequences and penalties associated with violations of the Compulsory Education Law.

Compulsory Attendance for Five-Year Olds

All children who are between their sixth and sixteenth birthdays and reside in Forsyth County shall enter school the opening date and attend school regularly. All children enrolled for 20 school days or more in a public school prior to their sixth birthday shall become subject to the compulsory attendance law even though they have not attained six years of age.

Excused Absences

Excused absences are those designated by state law, State Board of Education policy, and Forsyth County School Board policy. Students may be excused for the following reasons:  

1. personal illness or attendance in school that endangers a student’s health or the health of others;
2. a serious illness or death in their immediate family necessitates absence from school;
3. a court order or an order by a governmental agency, including pre-induction physical examinations for service in the armed forces, mandating absence from school;
4. the observance of religious holidays, necessitating absence from school;
5. conditions rendering attendance impossible or hazardous to student health or safety;
6. a scheduled medical, dental or eye examination of the student;
7. registering to vote or voting, for a period not to exceed one day,
8. visiting a parent or legal guardian who is in the military service in the armed forces and has been called to duty or is on leave from overseas deployment to a combat zone or combat support post. The student may be excused for a maximum of 5 days per school year.

Penalties for Students

Charges may be filed in Juvenile Court or State Court on students who do not comply with the Compulsory Education Law.

Possible Consequences and Penalties for Parents

A parent / guardian who violates the Compulsory Education Law shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be subject per violation to a fine not less than $25.00 and not greater than $100.00, imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, community service, or any combination of such penalties at the discretion of the court having jurisdiction. Each day’s unexcused absence beyond five unexcused absences constitutes one violation.

A parent / guardian may be subject to Educational Neglect charges filed in Juvenile Court.

Responsibilities

Parents Responsibilities: It is the responsibility of the parent / guardian to notify the school in writing of the date and reason for the absence within 5 school days of the absence. The parent / guardian must note the student’s name, the date(s) of absence(s), and the reason for the absence. If a student is being checked-in or checked-out for a doctor’s appointment, a physician’s note or appointment card is required to be considered excused. Students with excessive absences may be required to present a note from a doctor or the Health Department to be considered excused.

School System's Responsibilities: If the school system is made aware that a child between the ages of six and sixteen or any child who has enrolled for twenty school days or more in a public school prior to their sixth birthday is not enrolled in public school, private school, or a home study program, the Superintendent has the authority and responsibility to file proceedings in court to enforce the mandatory education laws. 

State Laws

• Mandatory Education for Children Between Ages 6 and 16 – O.C.G.A. 20-2-690.1
• Student Attendance Protocol Committee – O.C.G.A. 20-2-690.2

Forsyth County Board Policy

• Forsyth County School Board Policy for Student Attendance

FCS Attendance Information

The Community Attendance Protocol Committee is chaired by Judge Jeffrey Bagley. This committee supports creative solutions to address the growing school attendance concerns in Forsyth County. Lack of school attendance causes social issues and is a community-wide problem that is best addressed through community collaboration.

Thank you for your cooperation and effort to ensure that all Forsyth County children have the education that they need to lead successful and independent lives.  Please view this Attendance Video which discusses the law and tips for improving your child's attendance.

Attendance Works Parent Resources

1. Good attendance benefits your child's education. Students who miss a day of school not only miss instruction, but must make up work and catch up with the new material at the same time. Make education a family priority and emphasize the important role education plays throughout life.
2. The school bus is a consistent way to ensure your child arrives at school in a timely manner. Arriving late can be disruptive for your child, the teacher, and the other children in the class.
3. Try to schedule doctor and dentist appointments on early release days, school holidays or at the beginning or end of the school day.
4. Monitor your child's attendance through Parent Portal to keep track of absences. If an absence is marked incorrectly, please contact the school attendance secretary. Students must submit a note or parents must fax or email the Attendance Office within 5 school days for the student's absence to be considered excused.
5. There are 180 school days out of the 365 days in a year. Therefore, families are encouraged to take vacations during the summer vacation or other school breaks throughout the year. Vacations are not considered excused absences.
6. Keep in mind that patterns are formed early. It is more difficult to break a bad habit (children begging to stay home from school “just this once”) than saying “no” in the beginning.
7. If there are reasons why your child is not coming to school (school phobia, relationships with peers, academic difficulties), please contact your school counselor so that the underlying issue can be addressed.
8. Thank you for supporting your child’s education by encouraging good school attendance!