GRADE BOOKS

ADMISSIONS AND ATTENDANCE:
ATTENDANCE ENFORCEMENT

TEACHER GRADE BOOKS

The teacher's grade book shall contain all grades necessary to calculate the students grade average for the course(s) taught. Grade books must be maintained in a legible and organized format with the following information recorded; school year, teacher name, course names, class period, class meeting dates, student names, grades, absences, and entry/exit dates from coursed. The teacher may use any additional special coding provided it is explained in the front of the grade book.

Attendance shall be taken when the class meets and recorded by the teacher in the grade book on its respective date. During the second instructional hour the student is considered either present or absent at the time the official attendance roll is taken. Tardies may be recorded in the grade book except for second hour. The locally developed code of "L" may be used to designate the student was on the campus at the time official second hour attendance was taken, but was not in their assigned classroom, provided they were with a responsible campus official (e.g. nurse's office, attendance office, counselor's office, princi-pal's office, etc.). If the student arrives on campus after the official second hour roll call, the student will be counted absent on the attendance slip and teachers shall record an "A" in the teacher grade book.

Grade books shall be turned in annually and saved for no less than five years and are subject to audit. Automated grade book systems shall meet the above listed requirements, and detailed reports shall be printed monthly and retained according to the above audit requirements.

VISITING TEACHER

Each campus shall designate a person who will meet with the visiting teacher at a regularly scheduled time to review students' attendance records who have excessive absences.

The visiting teacher shall make contact with the parent of the student before the student exceeds the state's and district's allowable number of absences, to identify the reasons for ab-sences, and to assist the parent in developing a plan to prevent absences.

The administration shall attempt to minimize the number of times a school administrator would need to appear in court. The school administrator shall be present only the first time a student's case is presented in court. If the judge sets a subsequent date to monitor that student's attendance, the visiting teacher will repre-sent the school at the hearing and the school administrator will not be required to be present.

The visiting teacher is the designated court liaison officer for cam-pus students. The role of the visiting teacher will be to ascertain that educational services continue for each student who may be removed from school by the courts.

REFERRALS

Whenever a student is referred from school to the visiting teacher, the following procedures shall apply:

1. Complete all of the correct information requested on the Visiting Teacher Referral form.

2. Check for involvement by a probation officer before referring a student. The information is usually very valuable. This proce- dure is usually applicable only to the middle and high school levels.

3. Circle the dates of absences in the calendar area of the form. Tally the absences at the end of each month and also differen- tiate between excused absences and unexcused absences.

4. Call the visiting teacher with questions about a referral.

DUTIES

The duties of the visiting teacher shall be to:

1. Visit each school assigned once a week to meet with a person designated by the principal to obtain a list of students with excessive absences. (Plan one hour per meeting.)

2. Visit the residence of the student and/or call the parent at work to ascertain the reason(s) for their student's absence from school.

3. Work with student's parents and the student to devise a plan to correct nonattendance problems.

4. Submit a written report to the school on each student identify- ing the reason(s) for the student's absence.

5. Create a personal file on each student investigated.

6. Send an official warning letter to students for nonattendance upon request by school official.

7. Counsel with student(s) upon request by school officials.

8. Proceed in court against parents, legal guardians, or persons having lawful control of students who violate the compulsory attendance law. On the first occasion when a student is taken into court for nonattendance, an administrator of the school will be present and assist the visiting teacher in presenting the case before the court. On subsequent hearings regarding this student's case, the visiting teacher will represent the school in presenting information to the court.

9. Verify address of students upon request by school officials.

10. Deliver certified letters to parents, legal guardians, or persons having lawful control of students upon request by school officials.

11. Serve as a member of an ARD committee upon request by school officials.

12. Be assigned as court liaison officer for:

a. Any student of the district referred to a juvenile court for delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for super- vision.
b. Any student of the district referred to the Texas Department of Human Resources who is abused or neglected.

c. Any student of the district placed in a mental rehabilitation program.

ISSUE DATE: 7/21/98

ADMISSIONS AND ATTENDANCE: ATTENDANCE ENFORCEMENT
TEACHER GRADE BOOKS	The teacher's grade book shall contain all grades necessary to calculate the students grade average for the course(s) taught. Grade books must be maintained in a legible and organized format with the following information recorded; school year, teacher name, course names, class period, class meeting dates, student names, grades, absences, and entry/exit dates from coursed. The teacher may use any additional special coding provided it is explained in the front of the grade book. Attendance shall be taken when the class meets and recorded by the teacher in the grade book on its respective date. During the second instructional hour the student is considered either present or absent at the time the official attendance roll is taken. Tardies may be recorded in the grade book except for second hour. The locally developed code of "L" may be used to designate the student was on the campus at the time official second hour attendance was taken, but was not in their assigned classroom, provided they were with a responsible campus official (e.g. nurse's office, attendance office, counselor's office, princi-pal's office, etc.). If the student arrives on campus after the official second hour roll call, the student will be counted absent on the attendance slip and teachers shall record an "A" in the teacher grade book. Grade books shall be turned in annually and saved for no less than five years and are subject to audit. Automated grade book systems shall meet the above listed requirements, and detailed reports shall be printed monthly and retained according to the above audit requirements.
VISITING TEACHER	Each campus shall designate a person who will meet with the visiting teacher at a regularly scheduled time to review students' attendance records who have excessive absences. The visiting teacher shall make contact with the parent of the student before the student exceeds the state's and district's allowable number of absences, to identify the reasons for ab-sences, and to assist the parent in developing a plan to prevent absences. The administration shall attempt to minimize the number of times a school administrator would need to appear in court. The school administrator shall be present only the first time a student's case is presented in court. If the judge sets a subsequent date to monitor that student's attendance, the visiting teacher will repre-sent the school at the hearing and the school administrator will not be required to be present. The visiting teacher is the designated court liaison officer for cam-pus students. The role of the visiting teacher will be to ascertain that educational services continue for each student who may be removed from school by the courts.
REFERRALS	Whenever a student is referred from school to the visiting teacher, the following procedures shall apply: 1. Complete all of the correct information requested on the Visiting Teacher Referral form. 2. Check for involvement by a probation officer before referring a student. The information is usually very valuable. This proce- dure is usually applicable only to the middle and high school levels. 3. Circle the dates of absences in the calendar area of the form. Tally the absences at the end of each month and also differen- tiate between excused absences and unexcused absences. 4. Call the visiting teacher with questions about a referral.
DUTIES	The duties of the visiting teacher shall be to: 1. Visit each school assigned once a week to meet with a person designated by the principal to obtain a list of students with excessive absences. (Plan one hour per meeting.) 2. Visit the residence of the student and/or call the parent at work to ascertain the reason(s) for their student's absence from school. 3. Work with student's parents and the student to devise a plan to correct nonattendance problems. 4. Submit a written report to the school on each student identify- ing the reason(s) for the student's absence. 5. Create a personal file on each student investigated. 6. Send an official warning letter to students for nonattendance upon request by school official. 7. Counsel with student(s) upon request by school officials. 8. Proceed in court against parents, legal guardians, or persons having lawful control of students who violate the compulsory attendance law. On the first occasion when a student is taken into court for nonattendance, an administrator of the school will be present and assist the visiting teacher in presenting the case before the court. On subsequent hearings regarding this student's case, the visiting teacher will represent the school in presenting information to the court. 9. Verify address of students upon request by school officials. 10. Deliver certified letters to parents, legal guardians, or persons having lawful control of students upon request by school officials. 11. Serve as a member of an ARD committee upon request by school officials. 12. Be assigned as court liaison officer for: a. Any student of the district referred to a juvenile court for delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for super- vision. b. Any student of the district referred to the Texas Department of Human Resources who is abused or neglected. c. Any student of the district placed in a mental rehabilitation program.