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How is admission to public schools determined? |
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Admission to public school shall be on an individual basis on the application of the
parents, legal custodian, or guardian of the child to the local board of education at the
beginning of each school year, under such rules and regulations as the board may
prescribe.
Authority: Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-3 |
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Who is required to attend school? |
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Every child between the ages of seven and 16 must attend a public school, private
school, church school, or be instructed by a competent private tutor for the entire
length of the school term except that every child attending a church school is exempt
from the requirements of Ala. Code (1975)§16-28-3, provided such child complies
with the enrollment and reporting procedure specified in Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-7 of
the code.
Authority: Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-3 |
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What is the minimum age for admission to public schools? |
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a. A child who is six years of age on or before September 1 (2)* or the date on
which school begins in the enrolling district shall be entitled to admission to the public
elementary schools at the opening of such schools for that school year or as soon as
practicable thereafter.
b. A child who becomes six years old on or before February 1 may, with the
approval of the local board of education, be admitted at the beginning of the second
semester in school systems having semiannual promotions of pupils.
c. A child who is five years of age on or before September 1 (2)* or the date on
which school begins in the enrolling district is entitled to admission to the
kindergarten program at the beginning of the school year or as soon as practicable
thereafter.
d. Kindergarten or Grade 1 students who were enrolled in an Alabama private
school, church school, or were being tutored in accordance with the Ala. Code (1975)
and who seek admission to kindergarten or Grade 1 in the public schools must meet
the age requirements for admittance as of September 1 (2)* or the opening date of
school in the enrolling district.
Authority: Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-4
Report of Attorney General of Alabama
October-December 1963
Volume 113, page 20 |
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What are the requirements for Kindergarten and Grade 1 out-of-state transfers? |
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a. An underage child who transfers from the first grade of a school in another state
may be admitted, but must have the approval of the local board of education.
b. An underage child who has moved into this state and has completed a mandated
kindergarten program in another state shall be entitled to admission to the public
elementary school.
c. An underage child who transfers to Alabama from the public school kindergarten
in another state may be admitted, but must have prior approval of the local board of
education.
Authority: Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-4 |
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What state regulations relate to required school and absences from state schools? |
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A. Attendance Required
Children between the ages of seven and 16 years are required to attend a public school,
private school, church school, or be instructed by a competent private tutor for the
entire length of the school term in every scholastic year except that every child
attending a church school as defined by Alabama law (Ala. Code §16-28-1) is exempt
from this requirement, provided such child has met the requirements as specified for
enrollment and reporting.
B. Absences
1. Explanation Required
a. Every parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of any child
required to attend public school, private school, or church school, shall as soon as
practical explain the cause of any absence of the child under his control or charge
which was without permission of the teacher.
b. Failure to furnish such explanation shall be admissible as evidence of such child
being a truant with the consent and connivance of the person in control or charge of
the child, unless such person can show to the reasonable satisfaction of the court that
he had no knowledge of such absence and that he had been diligent in his efforts to
secure the attendance of such child.
Authority: Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-15
2. Excused Absences
a. Illness.
b. Death in immediate family.
c. Inclement weather which would be dangerous to the life and health of the child as
determined by the principal.
d. Legal quarantine.
e. Emergency conditions as determined by the principal.
f. Prior permission of the principal upon request of the parent or legal guardian.
3. Unexcused Absences
Any absences not excused shall be considered unexcused. |
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| Question: |
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Can a student be retained in a grade merely because of a certain number of
excused absences? |
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No. Excused absences (e.g., for illness) imply that the absences will not be counted
against the student. |
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| Question: |
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Can a student be retained in a grade merely because of a certain number of
unexcused absences? |
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Yes, assuming the school board has, and carefully complies with, a policy relating
attendance to academic achievement. |
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Can academic sanctions (grade penalties) be imposed upon a student after a
certain number of excused or unexcused absences? |
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Yes in the case of unexcused absences and no in the case of excused absences because
the implication is that the school system has agreed to the absence of a child under
certain conditions. |
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| Question: |
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Can a student be retained or academic sanctions imposed after the student
exceeds a certain number of excused or unexcused absences if the student is
otherwise academically succeeding in the particular course? |
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Yes in the case of unexcused absences and no in the case of excused absences. Once
again, the school system must have publicized and faithfully complied with a policy
that equates academic achievement with attendance.
Report of Attorney General of Alabama
January 10, 1989 |
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5. Why will the Alabama Occupational Diploma (AOD) not count in the numerator of the graduation rate equation? |
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By federal regulations we can only count graduates who complete an approved state program that results in a diploma. AOD students are considered to completers and not as graduates since under current state laws an AOD is not required to be accepted by all colleges and universities in Alabama. |
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4. Who is a graduate? |
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A graduate is a student who has completed all academic requirements as outlined in Alabama Course of Study and has earned/received an Alabama diploma as identified in the Code of Alabama with the exception of the Alabama Occupational Diploma (AOD). The AOD is recorded in the denominator of the graduation formula as a non-graduate not as a graduate for future AYP calculations. |
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| Question: |
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3. Part 1: Does the SDE recognize the DYS School district as an “Incarceration /enrolled in Program that culminates in Diploma”, “Incarceration/ Enrolled in program that does not culminate in a diploma” or either based on specific school criteria?
Part 2: What is the expected documentation of “Proof that student is in a facility/program that culminates in a diploma”, will a letter or will the INOW transcript justify? |
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Students placed in DYS for long terms will be removed from cohorts. Those who are there short term will remain in cohorts.
Yes, either a letter or INOW transcripts will be sufficient. |
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2. How will I get my school/system’s access code? |
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Access codes were e-mailed to Superintendents on Friday, March 2, 2012, and Tuesday, March 6, 2012. Get your access code from the Superintendent in your school system. |
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1. Will just the Powerpoint be available? |
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1. Yes, both the Powerpoint and the WebEx presentations from Wednesday, February 29, 2012, and Friday, March 2, 2012 are available. Follow these steps: Access
A. http://www.alsde.edu
B. Choose Sections and scroll to Prevention and Support Services
C. Each WebEx is in "Links"
D. Each Powerpoint is in "Dropout Applications" |
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