PACT Charter School

Original Creation Date: February 11, 2014
Last Approved By: PACT Charter School Board of Directors
Last Approved Date: September 5, 2024
Year Reviewed: 2024-2025

PURPOSE

The school board believes that regular school attendance is directly related to success in academic work, benefits students socially, provides opportunities for important communication between teachers and students, and establishes regular habits of dependability critical to the student's future. The purpose of this policy is to encourage regular school attendance. It is intended to be positive and not punitive.

This policy also recognizes that class attendance is a joint responsibility shared by the student, parent or guardian, teacher, and administrators. All parties are responsible for promoting regular attendance, punctuality, and compliance with the Minnesota Department of Education Regulations and the Mandatory Attendance Laws of the State of Minnesota (Statutes 120A). This policy will assist students in attending class.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

Every child between seven (7) and seventeen (17) years of age must receive instruction during the school year unless the child has graduated.

Minnesota statute requires that any student who is at least 17 years of age who seeks to withdraw from school together with parent/guardian must:

• attend a meeting with school personnel to discuss the educational opportunities available to the student, including alternative educational opportunities and
• complete a school withdrawal form.

Once a pupil under the age of seven is enrolled in kindergarten or a higher grade in a public school, the pupil is subject to compulsory attendance. The parent, guardian, or any other individual having charge of any person that is of compulsory age must send such person to school unless he/she meets the legitimate exemptions as defined in statute.

Legal References: 

Minn. Stat. § 120A.05 (Definitions)

Minn. Stat. § 120A.22 (Compulsory Instruction)

Minn. Stat. § 120A.24 (Reporting)

Minn. Stat. § 120A.26 (Enforcement and Prosecution)

Minn. Stat. § 120A.28 (School Boards and Teachers, Duties)

Minn. Stat. § 120A.30 (Attendance Officers)

Minn. Stat. § 120A.34 (Violations; Penalties)

Minn. Stat. §§ 121A.40-121A.56 (Pupil Fair Dismissal Act)

Minn. Stat. § 260A.02 (Definitions)

Minn. Stat. § 260A.03 (Notice to Parent or Guardian When Child is Continuing Truant)

Minn. Stat. § 260C.007, Subd. 19 (Habitual Truant Defined)

Minn. Stat. § 260C.201 (Disposition; Children in Need of Protection or Services or Neglected and in Foster Care)

Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 565, 95 S.Ct. 729 (1975)

Slocum v. Holton Board of Education, 429 N.W.2d 607 (Mich. App. Ct. 1988)

Campbell v. Board of Education of New Milford, 475 A.2d 289 (Conn. 1984)

Hamer v. Board of Education of Township High School District No. 113, 66 Ill. App.3d 7, 383 N.E.2d 231 (1978)

Gutierrez v. School District R-1, 585 P.2d 935 (Co. Ct. App. 1978)

Knight v. Board of Education, 38 Ill. App. 3d 603, 348 N.E.2d 299 (1976)

Dorsey v. Bale, 521 S.W.2d 76 (Ky. 1975)

Adapted from Wayzata School District “Policy 503 Compulsory Attendance.”