Stevensville School District

STUDENTS

Compulsory Attendance

To reach the goal of maximum educational benefits for every child requires a regular continuity of instruction, classroom participation, learning experiences, and study. Regular interaction of students with one another in classrooms and their participation in instructional activities under the tutelage of competent teachers are vital to the entire process of education. This established principle of education underlies and gives purpose to the requirement of compulsory schooling in every state in the nation. A student’s regular attendance also reflects dependability and is a significant component of a student’s permanent record.

Parents or legal guardians or legal custodians are responsible for seeing that their children who are age seven (7) or older before the first (1st) day of school attend school until the later of the following dates:

1. Child’s sixteenth (16th) birthday; or

2. Completion date of the work of eighth (8th) grade.

The provisions above do not apply in the following cases:

(a) The child has been excused under one of the conditions specified in 20-5-102.
(b) The child is absent because of illness, bereavement, or other reason prescribed by the policies of the trustees.
(c) The child has been suspended or expelled under the provisions of 20-5-202.
(d) The child is excused pursuant to Section 2 of 20-5-103.
(e) The child is excused pursuant to 40-6-701 (1) or Policy 2158.

Compulsory attendance stated above will not apply when children:

1. Are provided with supervised correspondence or home study; or

2. Are excused because of a determination by a district judge that attendance is not in the best interests of the child; or

3. Are enrolled in a non-public or home school; or

4. Are enrolled in a school in another district or state; or

5. Are excused by the Board on a determination that attendance after age of sixteen (16) is not in the best interests of the child and the school.

Legal Reference:
§ 20-1-308, MCA Religious instruction released time program
§ 20-5-101, MCA Admittance of child to school
§ 20-5-102, MCA Compulsory enrollment and excuses
§ 20-5-103, MCA Compulsory attendance and excuses
§ 20-5-104, MCA Attendance officer
§ 20-5-106, MCA Truancy
§ 20-5-107, MCA Incapacitated and indigent child attendance
§ 20-5-108, MCA Tribal agreement with district for Indian child compulsory attendance and other agreements
§20-5-202, MCA Suspension and Expulsion
§ 40-6-701 (1) Parental Rights
Chapter 693 (2023) Parental Rights

Policy History:
Adopted on: December 2001
Reviewed on: December 13, 2011; December 12, 2023
Revised on: January 9, 2024