Attendance Policy

digiTIES / The Islamic Education School

Attendance Policy

ADM-002 · Administrative · Policy & Procedure

Policy Number	ADM-002
Category	Administrative
Effective Date	2026–2027 School Year
Last Reviewed	March 2026
Next Review Due	December 2026
Approved By	Principal, digiTIES Online School
Standards	WASC A6 · NSQ D1, L1 · CA Ed Code §48200, §48205, §48260, §48260.5, §48262, §48263.6, §48980
Policy Contact	Principal – principal@digities.org
Scope	All enrolled students, Grades 1–12 (online program)
Replaces	Attendance provisions in TIES USA Family Handbook 2024–2025

Policy Overview

Purpose & Statement

Daily attendance is fundamental to student success in an online learning environment, and it is a critical part of all students’ commitment to learning. digiTIES / The Islamic Education School expects consistent, documented participation in all scheduled learning activities – both synchronous (live) and asynchronous. This policy establishes clear attendance expectations, defines absences in alignment with California law, sets monitoring procedures, outlines truancy classification obligations, and describes the intervention steps the school will follow.

Scope & Who This Applies To

This policy applies to all enrolled students in Grades 1–12 and their guardians. Expectations differ by modality and grade band as described below. Part-time students are subject to attendance requirements proportional to their enrolled courses.

California Law – Attendance Definitions & Mandates

digiTIES operates in compliance with California Education Code attendance law. The following definitions and mandates apply to all enrolled students and govern how the school classifies, reports, and responds to student absences.

Definition of a Truant (CA Ed Code §48260)

The California Legislature defined a truant in very precise language. A student missing more than 30 minutes of instruction without an excuse three times during the school year must be classified as a truant and reported to the proper school authority. This classification and referral emphasize the importance of school attendance and are intended to help minimize interference with instruction.

CA Law – Definition of a Truant

A student missing more than 30 minutes of instruction without an excuse on 3 or more occasions during the school year must be classified as a truant and reported to the proper school authority.

Reference: CA Education Code §48260

Reasons for Excused Absences (CA Ed Code §48205)

California law allows students to be absent for specific excused reasons. Excused absences do not count toward truancy classification. Legally recognized excused absence reasons include:

Illness of the student
Quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer
Medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic appointment
Attendance at the funeral of an immediate family member (up to 1 day in-state, 3 days out-of-state)
Jury duty
Religious observance or instruction (up to 4 days per school year)
Employment, as permitted by applicable law
Illness or medical appointment of a child of whom the student is the custodial parent
Family emergency or other circumstances – at school administrator’s discretion per 2013 amendment

CA Law – Reasons for Excused Absences

Students may be absent for illness, medical appointments, family emergencies, religious duties, civic duties, and other circumstances at the administrator’s discretion. Excused absences do not count toward chronic absenteeism classification.

Reference: CA Education Code §48205

Definition of a Chronic Truant (CA Ed Code §48263.6)

A student is defined as a chronic truant when unexcused absences total 10 percent or more of school days during the school year, measured from the date of enrollment to the current date. Chronic truant classification applies only after the school has followed all prior truancy identification and notification steps.

CA Law – Definition of a Chronic Truant

A chronic truant is a student whose unexcused absences total 10 percent or more of school days during the year, measured from enrollment to the current date. Applies only after all prior truancy steps have been followed.

Reference: CA Education Code §48263.6

First Notification Mandate (CA Ed Code §48260.5)

When a student is classified as a truant, California law requires the school to notify the parent or guardian by the most cost-effective method possible. The notification must include specific information related to the student’s unexcused absences, the implications of continued absence, and available school support.

CA Law – First Notification Mandate

Upon classification of a student as a truant, the school district must notify the parent or guardian by the most cost-effective method possible. The notification must include specific information about the student’s unexcused absences.

Reference: CA Education Code §48260.5

digiTIES will issue this notification via digiTIES SIS message and email upon a student reaching truant classification. The notification will specify the dates and number of unexcused absences, the legal definition being applied, and the support available through the school.

Habitual Truant Mandate (CA Ed Code §48262)

California law further requires that after a student has been reported as a truant three or more times in one school year, and after an appropriate school employee has made a conscientious effort to hold at least one attendance improvement meeting with the parent and the student, the student is deemed a habitual truant.

The Attendance Improvement Meeting engages participants involved in the student’s life to explore viable solutions to increase the student’s attendance. Maintaining open communication between the student and adults will facilitate positive outcomes. The purpose of the Attendance Improvement Meeting is to discuss the cause(s) of the truancy and to develop a mutually agreed upon plan to ensure regular attendance.

Issues to be addressed include, but are not be limited to:

• Appropriateness of the student’s study space;

• Possible elements of the school environment that inhibit student success;

• Student’s current academic level and needs;

• Social, emotional, physical, mental and behavioral health issues; Issues concerning family and home environment and;

• Any other issues affecting the student’s attendance.

Participants in the Attendance Improvement Meeting should work collaboratively to conduct a holistic assessment to determine the reason(s) the student is exhibiting truant behavior. Every member should have a vested interest in and responsibility for determining an appropriate plan to assist the student to succeed both socially and academically. This Attendance Improvement Meeting also ensures that both the student and the family understand the legal ramifications of not adhering to the state’s compulsory attendance requirements.

The intent is to provide solutions for students who have not responded to normal avenues of school intervention. The most cost-effective method possible must be used to notify the parent or guardian about the required meeting.

CA Law – Habitual Truant Mandate

After a student has been reported as truant 3 or more times in one school year AND a school employee has made a conscientious effort to hold at least one meeting with the parent and student, the student is deemed a habitual truant. Meeting notification must be sent to the parent/guardian.

Reference: CA Education Code §48262

When a student reaches habitual truant status, digiTIES will: (1) send a formal written notification to the family, (2) document the meeting effort in the student’s attendance record, (3) convene a required parent-student-administrator meeting, and (4) evaluate whether referral to a School Attendance Review Board (SARB) is appropriate.

digiTIES Attendance Definitions

Attendance Status Definitions:

Daily Attendance: Full-time students subject to compulsory education laws will only be considered present for the school day when they are counted as present for a minimum of two-thirds of all required virtual live sessions. Students are required to follow the school calendar, which includes at least 180 school days. Attendance only occurs on “school days” as listed on the school calendar. Asynchronous students will need to log in each school day to be counted present.

Virtual Class Attendance (Live) – To be marked present in a class, students are required to be in the virtual session within the first 4 minutes of the start time, their camera on and clearly showing the top half of their body and actively participating until dismissed by the instructor.

Present Class Attendance (Asynchronous): Student logs in daily to school attendance portal by 11:59 p.m. EST.

Tardy: Student logs into a live session 5 or more minutes after the scheduled start time. Recorded as an unexcused tardy unless prior notice is given.

Excused Absence: Absence formally reported by a parent/guardian in writing advance or within 72 hours, with a reason that qualifies under CA Ed Code §48205 or is approved at school administrator’s discretion. Does not count toward truancy classification.

Unexcused Absence:

Absence not reported, not accompanied by acceptable documentation, or not qualifying under Ed Code §48205. Counts toward truancy classification.
Being present in class less than 90% of the session.
Leaving class without the teacher’s permission (Students who leave a session with permission and don’t return are marked as unexcused absent.)

Truant: Student missing more than 30 minutes of instruction without an excuse on 3 or more occasions in a school year (CA Ed Code §48260).

Habitual Truant: Student reported as truant 3 or more times in one school year, after a conscientious effort by a school employee to meet with the parent and student (CA Ed Code §48262).

Chronic Truant: Student whose unexcused absences total 10% or more of school days from the date of enrollment (CA Ed Code §48263.6).

Parent Role:

Parents play a vital role in their student maintaining a positive attendance record. Students should only miss school when truly sick; minor symptoms should not interfere with daily attendance. digiTIES expects parents to:

Ensure their child attends school every day
Discuss the importance of regular attendance
Monitor and track daily attendance in the digiTIES SIS
Schedule appointments around the school schedule
Take vacations when school is not in session
Ensure their child logs in and attends all required virtual sessions and live testing events
Ensure their child is on time or early for all required sessions and testing events
Have a back-up plan should connectivity issues arise
Respond immediately to attendance alerts that come from the school (i.e., phone calls or text/email messages).
Excuses should be submitted within 3 business days of the absence. If a parent feels the notice was received in error, the school office (registrar@digities.org) should be contacted
Follow digiTIES’s academic calendar found on the school website
Follow up notices sent about daylight savings, time zone, and Ramadan schedule changes

Attendance Expectations by Grade Band

Grades 1–5

Students must participate in live sessions or complete verified asynchronous work for each scheduled school day.
Parents must formally notify digiTIES administration of any absence and provide the reason.
Students absent more than 3 consecutive days must submit a doctor’s note or equivalent documentation.
Students with more than 15 unexcused absences in a school year may not be re-enrolled for the following year.

Grades 6–12 – Middle & High School Credit Requirement

Students must attend a minimum of 90% of scheduled classes per course to earn course credit.
Attendance includes live participation for live track, and documented attendance logins for asynchronous track.
Students who fall below 90% attendance in a course may not receive course credit for that course and may have to repeat the course.
Exceptions may be considered in documented extenuating circumstances at school discretion.

Asynchronous / Friday Coursework

Asynchronous work periods are counted as part of attendance.
Students must complete and submit all assigned work to be recorded as present for that period.

Tardiness

Any student logging in 5 or more minutes after class start is marked unexcused tardy in digiTIES SIS.
5 unexcused tardies triggers an automatic written warning to parents.
3 written warnings for unexcused tardiness places the student at risk of non-re-enrollment for the following school year.

Procedures & Implementation

Staff Responsibilities

Take attendance at the start of every live session using digiTIES SIS.
Record the reason for absence or tardiness in the digiTIES SIS comments field.
For asynchronous periods, verify and record completion of assigned work by the designated deadline.
Report attendance concerns to administration when a student reaches 50% of the allowable absences threshold.
Flag truancy classification triggers immediately to school administration – do not wait for the weekly review.
Do not make attendance exceptions independently – all exceptions must be escalated to administration.

Student & Family Responsibilities

In order for an absence to be considered excused, a parent or legal guardian must submit a written explanation or medical excuse that includes the student’s name, the date of the absence, and the reason for the absence within 3 business days of the absence.
A maximum of ten (10) days of absences (excused and illness excused) verified by parental notification may be permitted per school year. All absences beyond ten cumulative days require an excuse from a physician or help desk ticket of technical difficulties for each additional absence in order to be marked as an excused absence.
Students who are unable to login into school at home must have an alternate plan with computer access to do their schoolwork. If a student does not have an alternate plan and cannot go to a public library or other location for computer access, the legal guardian must notify the administration and submit a written note detailing the reason for the absence along with a technical support ticket number from digiTIES IT.
Absences of 3 or more consecutive days require a doctor’s note or documentation submitted to administration.
Students are responsible for completing all work missed during absences within the timeframe agreed upon with the teacher. At a minimum, students are allowed one day per absence day to complete work. (Ex: If a student is absent on Monday, they are expected to turn missed work in by the end of the school day on Wednesday. It is at the teacher’s discretion to allot more time for completion of missed work.) Unexcused absence students will be given a zero for participation and in class work for that day’s session.
Families are expected to review attendance reports in digiTIES SIS regularly and contact the school if discrepancies are found.

Monitoring & Communication

Attendance Tracking

Attendance is recorded daily in digiTIES SIS by the responsible teacher.
Microsoft Teams attendance logs serve as secondary documentation but do not replace digiTIES SIS entries.
Administration reviews attendance data weekly.

Warning Threshold – Parent Notification

Parents/guardians will be formally notified when a student reaches 50% of the allowable absences in any course. The following standardized notification language will be used:

Standard Parent Notification – Attendance Warning

"digiTIES has adopted a student attendance policy. In order for students to gain the full benefit of the educational program offered, regular attendance must be an important part of their educational experience.

Students in grades 9–12 must attend a minimum of 90% of scheduled classes to receive course credit.

Your student has reached 50% of the allowable absences in [course name]. The total number of absences to date is [X]. Please contact us to discuss support options."

Truancy Classification & Mandatory Response Protocol

digiTIES is required by California law to classify and respond to truancy in a documented, progressive manner. The following protocol applies:

Step 1 – Truant Classification (CA Ed Code §48260)

When a student accumulates 3 or more unexcused absences of more than 30 minutes in one school year:

Administration classifies the student as a truant in digiTIES SIS.
Administration sends the First Notification to the parent/guardian per CA Ed Code §48260.5 via email, specifying dates, number of unexcused absences, and available support.
The notification is documented in the student’s attendance record.

Step 2 – Habitual Truant (CA Ed Code §48262)

When a student has been reported as truant 3 or more times in one school year and a school employee has made a conscientious effort to meet with the parent and student:

Student is classified as a habitual truant.
Administration documents the effort to schedule an attendance improvement meeting.
Administration sends formal written notification of habitual truant status to the family.
Administration convenes the attendance improvement meeting.
Administration evaluates referral to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB) per CA Ed Code §48263.

Step 3 – Chronic Truant (CA Ed Code §48263.6)

When a student’s unexcused absences reach 10% or more of school days from enrollment:

Student is classified as a chronic truant.
Administration notifies family in writing and documents classification.
Administration initiates referral to SARB or appropriate intervention program.
Continued enrollment for the following school year is placed under administrative review.
Course credit may be withheld.

Intervention & Support

When attendance concerns arise, digiTIES implements the following interventions in escalating order:

Teacher outreach – direct contact with student and family to understand barriers.
Required student/parent meeting with teacher and/or administration.
Academic or scheduling support – adjusted learning plans, tutoring, or asynchronous scheduling where appropriate.
Attendance improvement meeting – documented agreement with family outlining expectations and support.
Administrative review – principal determination on credit recovery, continued enrollment, or non-re-enrollment.
TIES District SARB referral – when a student reaches habitual or chronic truant status and school interventions have not resolved the concern.

Loss of Credit & Enrollment Consequences

Students in Grades 6–12 who fall below 90% attendance may not receive course credit.
Students of any grade with more than 15 unexcused absences in a school year may not be re-enrolled for the following year.
Students classified as chronic truants are placed under administrative review for continued enrollment.
Exceptions require documented extenuating circumstances reviewed and approved by the Principal in writing.

Standards & Legal Alignment

Standard / Law	Reference	How This Policy Addresses It
ACS WASC 2026	Standard A6	Demonstrates compliance with applicable laws and clear policies governing student attendance and academic accountability.
NSQ Online Programs 2025	Standards D1, L1	Provides accurate information on program policies; ensures learner eligibility and access expectations are clearly communicated.
CA Education Code	§48200, §48205	Attendance is compulsory for school-age students. Excused absences defined in §48205.
CA Education Code	§48260, §48260.5	Truancy definition and first notification mandate to parents.
CA Education Code	§48262, §48263.6	Habitual truant and chronic truant definitions and mandated interventions.
CA Education Code	§48980	Annual parent notification of school attendance policies and student rights.
digiTIES 1–3 Year Plan	Academic Excellence	Consistent attendance directly supports mastery-based learning outcomes and WASC accreditation evidence.

Related Policies & Documents

ADM-001 – Enrollment & Admissions Policy
ADM-004 – Communication & Family Engagement Policy
STU-002 – Student Behavior & Discipline Policy
TECH-003 – Attendance Recording Procedure (digiTIES SIS)
Family Handbook 2024–2025 – Academic Calendar Section

Annual Policy Review Log

Per NSQ Standard C4 and ACS WASC Standard A6, all policies must be reviewed annually with documented stakeholder input and governing body approval.

Date	Revised By	Approved By	Summary of Changes
03.2026	Manal Nachef	Principal / Board	Initial adoption

digiTIES Vision, Mission & Values – Policy Alignment Reference

VISION

By 2030, digiTIES will stand among the world’s most respected virtual schools – a premier destination for Muslim youth seeking rigorous academics, global opportunity, and a community rooted in faith and integrity.

MISSION

digiTIES delivers a rigorous, WASC-accredited virtual education that prepares Muslim youth for competitive university pathways and meaningful futures. We combine academic excellence, innovative digital learning, and a values-driven community rooted in the Islamic tradition to develop confident, ethical, and future-ready leaders.

CORE VALUES ALIGNMENT

Before adoption, confirm this policy supports: Academic excellence · Islamic values · Digital innovation · Student agency · Community partnership · Continuous improvement

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