16.2 Secondary Student Attendance

Secondary Students may not exceed five (5) days of absence in a nine-week period. If a secondary student exceeds five (5) absences (excused or unexcused) in a nine-week period, the student will receive a grade of “N” for that nine-week period. Students who receive an “N” (no credit) for attendance will have their earned numeric grade reported to the sending school. However, this doesn’t mean credit for completion of the course will be granted.

Any student receiving an “N” grade for two (2) successive 9-week periods within the same semester may not be allowed to enroll for the next semester. Extenuating circumstances may be considered by the Executive Director of Instructional Development or designee in the administration of this policy.

For an absence to be excused, written documentation or a phone call from a parent/guardian must be received by the Attendance Office within 5 days of the absence. Late documentation may be accepted with approval of the Executive Director of Instructional Development or designee. A maximum of three (3) excused absences may be made-up in a nine-week period. Makeup of employability grades for excused absences will be allowed. It is the students’ responsibility to obtain and turn in the makeup work for excused absences within five (5) school days of the absence. If this is not done, a zero will be recorded. The three (3) options for seat time makeup to be approved by the program instructors are:

A. Instructors will make their class or lab available between 3:00 and 3:45 p.m. for makeup work.
B. Reports pertaining to the subject being taught will be accepted as makeup. The make-up report’s length and format will be determined by the instructor.
C. Participation in student organizational activities may be counted as makeup. The Executive Director of Instructional Development or designee shall have discretionary authority to approve any makeup for days missed beyond the 5-day limit.

It is the parents’ responsibility to notify the Attendance Office of Great Plains Technology Center if their son/daughter will not be in attendance. The Lawton campus telephone number is 250-5600 or 1-800-244-1024 and the Frederick campus telephone number is 355-5525 or 1-800-460-5525.

Students must be in class at the designated time, or they will be counted tardy. The following schedule will be followed when applying tardies to the absence policy:

A. Any tardy up to one (1) hour in length will be equivalent to a .33 absence
B. Any tardy from one (1) hour to two (2) hours will be equivalent to a .66 absence.
C. Any tardy after two (2) hours will be equivalent to a full day (1.00) absence.
D. Tardies will also be assessed appropriately for leaving class early.

Approved partner school activities in which the student is a participant will be recorded as a class absence until the Home School of Record Activity Report (referred to as the Blue Card) and the required missed assignments are submitted. Blue Cards can be found online at greatplains.edu and are located under the Quick Links button. The Home School of Record Activity Report (or verification by partner school/blue card) is required within three (3) school days of the absence and missed assignments must be completed within five (5) school days following the absence. It is the responsibility of the student to submit the Blue Card online and complete missed assignments, otherwise the activity will remain an absence. Students are encouraged to submit Blue Cards in advance of the school activity.