Roughly 24% of Dothan City Schools students are “chronically absent,” according to a DCS release.
Research shows students who miss at least 18 days of schools are 7 times more likely not to graduate. Elementary students with chronic absenteeism are more likely to read below grade level as early as 3rd grade.
DCS code allows for 10 excused absences per year. Absences beyond that number must have a doctor’s note.
Parents are notified the third and fourth times a student is not in school without an excuse. The student is referred to Houston County Truancy Prevention Project or direct to early warning court upon their fifth and sixth absences.
A complaint and/or referral can then be filed with the Houston County Juvenile Court Services with subsequent unexcused absences. That referral may result in petition for arrest and prosecution by the Houston County District Attorney’s Office.
Thirteen or more absences could result in a student being held back.
“We want your children to be in school 100% of the time because we know in order for students to be academically successful they must be in school. If your child has to be out of school please make sure it is an excused absence so you can avoid Truancy Court and potentially being charged with a Class A misdemeanor,” Director of DCS Student Services Dr. Charles Corbitt explained. “This world will pay you for what you know. How do you know something? By learning from the teacher! How do you learn? From a teacher and by being in school!”
