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Procedures: Parents and guardians are responsible for notifying the school when a child will be absent and informing the
school of the reason for the absence within 24 hours of the absence by written note.
▪ Parent(s)/guardian(s) are to be notified by telephone or by mail when lack of attendance endangers the student’s
grades.

Mastery – Middle School Course(s)

Middle School Attendance Policies and Procedures
Students must be in attendance for a minimum of ninety percent (90%) of the class time to earn a passing grade in a
middle school course. Students who are absent more than ten percent (10%) of class time may earn a passing grade by
demonstrating mastery.

Mastery is defined as follows:

• earning a minimum grade of “D” for the quarter; and
• passing the quarterly assessment with a minimum grade of “D”.

Students who successfully demonstrate mastery will receive the grade earned and the quarterly assessment is not
factored into the grade.

NOTE: Students who do not earn a minimum grade of “D” for the quarter may demonstrate mastery by passing the
quarterly assessment with a minimum grade of 70% as referenced in the Course Recovery Options for Middle School
Students section. Students who successfully demonstrate mastery via the quarterly assessment will earn a SDPBC Student
Progression Plan grade of D for that marking period. The high school attendance policy applies when a middle school
student is enrolled in a high school credit course.

Mastery – High School Credit Course(s) – Students who are absent from class more than ten percent (10%) of a semester
must pass at least one nine-week marking period and the semester exam in order to demonstrate their knowledge of the
subject and receive credit. This does not apply to virtual or performance-based instructional settings. An absence in a
class on block scheduling will count as two absences.

NOTE: If a student is absent more than ten percent (10%) of the school year in an EOC Assessment course, the student
must earn a passing grade in the fourth (4 ) nine-weeks or earn a level 3, 4, or 5 on the corresponding EOC, in order to
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pass the course.

NOTE: For the most updated information regarding these requirements, please review School Board Policy 8.01 - Student Progression Plans.

Driver’s License (P-5.185) – Students under 18 years of age who drop out of school or who have 15 unexcused absences
within 90 calendar days and have a driver’s license may have their driver’s license suspended by the Department of
Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or may not be issued a license if they apply for one. Additional information about
procedures and waivers is available from school administration or guidance offices. F.S. §§ 322.091; 1003.27(2)

FY24 Student and Family Handbook 9 | Page