NYC DOE Attendance Policy

How do students do well in school? They go every day! Students may miss school for illness, emergencies, or for religious reasons, but we want to see every student in school every day. Did you know that a student with 90% attendance has missed one month of school by the end of the year? Students with less than 90% attendance are more likely to have lower test scores and not graduate from high school.

100% attendance is our goal for all students. Attending school every day will support your child’s academic success. If your child is absent 18 or more days, they are chronically absent. With regular attendance, students learn the skills and habits that lead to success beyond school.

Here are some basic things you should know about attendance in New York City schools:

  • Schools must take attendance to show whether a student is in school or not — it’s the law.

  • Schools mark a student as P for present or A for absent.

  • Schools can mark an absence as “excused” for religious reasons, illness, or some other reasons, but they are still absences and must be part of the student’s record.

  • Teachers can make attendance part of a class grade, but it cannot be the only reason for a failing grade or not being promoted or graduating.

  • Schools must tell families when students are absent or late. Does your school have the right information to contact you?

Attendance Policies

Record-Keeping and Attendance Rules

Attendance is a required, legal record

A student who is not in school for at least one class period must be marked absent, even if the absence is excused. Attendance records in the electronic system cannot be changed after the middle of July. However, attendance records may be amended by submitting a letter to the student's file.

  • Families check attendance on report cards, ask the school for attendance records, or follow attendance on your NYC Schools account

  • Schools have strong routines for collecting, checking and updating data

Every absence counts. Excused absences are still absences.

Schools can excuse absences when a student misses school for religious, medical or emergency reasons, but the excused absences is a legal part of the student's record. Excused absences may not count against a student for school awards or participation in school activities.

  • Families ask about school policies for absences and plan vacations, trips, and appointments when school is not in session.

  • Schools publish school attendance policies, including rules for excused absences and vacations, and help student who do miss school stay on track with take-home and make-up work.

Excused Absences

  • Illness/injury: When a student is unable to attend school due to illness or injury, a document or notification (note from the doctor) is required to indicate an excused absence.

    • Please submit all documentation to Carmen Perez at Cperez13@schools.nyc.gov or call 718-834-6744 x1183.

    • If an accommodation is required to return to school (e.g. cast or medication) families must contact the school to make arrangements. If families fail to seek the necessary accommodation plans, any continuing absences due to illness or injury, including asthma-related absences, may be considered unexcused.

    • The school follows the DOE guidelines on COVID-19 testing and isolation.

    • The school follows the DOE policy on Head Lice.

  • Pre-arranged appointments: When a student is unable to attend school due to appointments for medical services, social services, the court, or other city agencies, notification and documentation by the family is required to indicate an excused absence.

    • Up to three (3) full-day absences for school visits related to the middle school or high school application process or college visits will be considered excused with appropriate documentation of the activities.

    • Whenever possible, families are expected to schedule appointments, including school visits and doctors’ visits, outside of regular school hours, or to schedule appointments so the student does not miss an entire day of school.

  • Religious observation: When a student is unable to attend school due to religious observation, the family’s request in writing is required to indicate an excused absence (please refer to Chancellor’s Regulation A-630).

  • Family emergency: When a student is unable to attend school due to a death or an emergency, notification and documentation by the family is required to indicate an excused absence.

    • If a student requires support to return to school (transportation, counseling, supplies), the family must call the Parent Coordinator, Karen Colon at 718-834-6744 to discuss their needs.

Unexcused Absences

  • Unexplained absence: Families are expected to notify the school whenever a student is unable to attend school, either in advance of the absence (preferred) or following the absence. Without explanation of a reason, the absence(s) are considered unexcused.

    • Contact your child’s teacher directly via email.

    • Or call the school and ask for the Parent Coordinator, Karen Colon.

  • Immunization exclusion: When a student is unable to attend school due to lack of appropriate immunizations the absence(s) are considered unexcused (please refer to Chancellor’s Regulation A-701).

  • Family vacations or travel: Families should plan vacations and trips when school is not in session. If students do miss school, families must work with the school to develop plans for take-home and make-up work. Absences for travel are considered unexcused.

Schools must contact the student's family after every unexplained absence

Schools will reach out to learn why students missed school and how to help. Parents must provide a reason for absences. Follow-up and new outreach is required after ten (10) missed days in a row, and when students in pre-K through eighth grade miss any twenty (20) days. Schools must have up-to-date phone numbers and addresses so they can reach families.

  • Families ask schools how and when they will notify you of absences and make sure your phone numbers on your NYC Schools account and on Blue Cards are correct.

  • Schools tell families how and when they will be contacted about absences and regularly check and up-date family phone numbers and addresses.

LATENESS

  • Students are marked late if they are not in their classroom by 8:30 a.m. Families are expected to provide a note — either by paper memo, email or Konstella — to explain the reason(s) for the lateness.

    • Lateness may be considered excused for the same reasons provided above for absence (illness/injury, religious observation, family emergency, pre-arranged appointments) or school bus delays or documented MTA delays.

    • Lateness due to routine delays in public transportation are not considered excused. Students and families need to allow ample time for travel and monitor MTA updates. There are no exceptions for inclement weather, and families are advised to leave extra time.

  • After 8:45 a.m. students must go to the Main Office for a late pass.

EARLY PICK-UPs

  • When a student has to leave school early, please notify your teachers in advance. A student can be dismissed from school early to the family or a person who has been identified on the Blue Emergency Card. Anyone picking up a student must come to the Main Office and provide a photo ID.

  • Students may not be signed out from the Main Office after 2:20pm unless there is a family emergency. Students are preparing for dismissal and bussing.

Consequences for Absences or Lateness

A student who arrives late to school is counted as present for the day

Being at school on time is important, but it is always better to come to school late than to miss the whole day. Schools may keep students who are late or cut class—or who leave early—out of school activities or communal lunchtime, but a late student cannot be kept out of class.

  • Families ask about what to do when a student must be late or leave early, or the consequences for a student who cuts class even if the student’s attendance is good.

  • Schools know when students come late, leave early, or cut class in order to develop strategies to improve attendance.

Attendance alone cannot prevent promotion or graduation

Students cannot fail a class or not be promoted because of their attendance, but attendance may affect grades. Students who meet class expectations must receive credit and are not required to make up the exact hours of missed class time.

  • Families ask schools about grading policies and requirements to make up class work if students miss school.

  • Schools make sure students and families know grading and promotion policies, and have plans for make-up class work.

A student cannot be transferred or discharged because of absences

Students who travel out of the country, are hospitalized or in treatment, or who are at home for family or medical reasons are all absent. Schools and families work together to keep up with class work and transition back to school. Students above compulsory school age who are not going to school may be discharged with the consent of their families through the Planning Interview process. In some limited circumstances, schools may initiate a transfer of a student.

  • Families prepare for planned absences with the school (or tutors at some treatment sites). Ask about program changes at the school. Learn about options and alternate schools and programs to graduate.

  • Schools know when students are absent and prepare academic plans for all non-attending students.

Common Reasons Students Miss School

Does your student miss school because of transportation problems?

  • Find out about school bus routes and student MetroCards on the Metrocards page under Find Out More, below .

  • You can find the best way to get to school by public transportation on MTA.info.

  • Ask the school if there is a “walking school bus” or a group of families who can take turns walking students to school.

  • If you use a yellow school bus, make sure your school has the right phone number and address so you know about any changes.

  • Talk with your school's parent coordinator if you have other travel worries.

Does your student miss school because of health issues?

  • The school parent coordinator, social worker, guidance counselor, or nurse can help; ask them.

  • The DOE School Health Services site has a list of health programs and benefits, immunizations, and school-based health centers that provide free medical care to all students.

  • Your school can help plan how to manage your student's asthma. Complete the Asthma Action Plan with your school.

  • Medication Administration Forms (MAF) allows the school to administer medication for Asthma, Allergies, Diabetes, etc if your student needs it.

  • A 504 Accommodation for a barrier-free site or extra breaks during the day can help a student can stay in school.

  • Learn about health insurance and benefits at the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene.

  • There are mental health services for students with emotional or behavior issues. Visit Mental Health or Let’s Talk NYC for more support resources.

  • There is Medically Necessary Instruction for students who cannot attend school because of a medical or physical condition, or emotional or psychological disability.

Does your student want to miss school because of school work?

  • Meet with the teacher or counselor and ask about the student's classwork. Ask about tutoring programs or, possibly, evaluations for special services.

  • Get homework help from Dial-a-Teacher.

  • Families of high school students can check the graduation requirements below so they know exactly where the student is on the way to graduation.

  • Families show school is important with simple habits like talking about school every day. Set and keep regular meal and bed times. Have books in the house or visits the library. Celebrate when your student does well.

Does your student want to miss school and you are not sure why?

  • Talk about what is happening in school. If there is bullying, or online bullying talk with the guidance counselor or other staff. Learn about the Respect for All program and what families can do to help.

  • Visit the school and ask for help on how to manage your student's social media use.

  • Find out more about teen health and mental health issues.

  • Look at the programs at DYCD Youth Connect or call 800-246-4646 to ask about after-school programs, tutoring services, and job or internship opportunities for young people.

  • The Family Assessment Program (FAP) office in your borough may be able to help you with crisis services, family counseling, mediation or other services. This is a program within ACS but families do not need to be ACS involved to participate and are not reported to ACS.

Other ways schools can help families with student attendance:

  • Ask the school counselor to set up a "contract" with your student with goals for attendance, and rewards and consequences.

  • Set up a time to talk with the parent coordinator or school counselor about attendance and any concerns.

  • Ask about counseling services or a mentor for your student.

  • Are there after school or extra-curricular programs to help keep your student interested in school.

  • Different class schedules or co-op programs for high school students might help.

  • There are resources for families. Let your school know what your family and student needs (housing, healthcare, school supplies, clothes, toiletries).

Learn More About Attendance