Early Warning Program
Early Warning Program
The Alabama Compulsory School Attendance Law, Code of Alabama, Section 16-28-03, (1975) requires children between the ages of six and seventeen to enroll and attend school. Additionally, the Code of Alabama, Section 16-28-12 (1975) as amended May 17, 1993, requires that any parent/guardian who enrolls a student in school be responsible for the child's regular attendance in school and proper conduct while there.
To implement the requirements of the Code of Alabama, Section 16-28-03 et seq (1975) your school system, district attorney and juvenile court have implemented an Early Warning Program. Please be advised that all students in grades kindergarten through twelve are subject to the provisions of this program.
The following procedures for handling truancy and/or conduct problems shall be administered throughout the Franklin County School System.
1. FIRST TRUANCY/UNEXCUSED ABSENCE OR FIFTH UNEXCUSED TARDY PER YEAR (WARNING)
a. Parent/Guardian shall be notified by the school principal or his/her designee that the student was truant and the date of the truancy.
b. Parent/Guardian shall also be provided with a copy of Alabama's compulsory school attendance laws and advised of the penalties that can be applied and the procedures that shall be followed in the event that other unexcused absences occur.
2. NO EARLIER THAN THE FIFTH UNEXCUSED ABSENCE, SEVENTH UNEXCUSED TARDY, OR TENTH EXCUSED ABSENCE PER YEAR (CONFERENCE)
a. The parent, guardian, or person having control of the child shall (1) attend a conference with the attendance officer and principal or his/her designee and/or (2) participate in the early warning program provided by the juvenile court.
b. Attendance at one of these conferences shall be mandatory except where prior arrangements have been made or an emergency exists.
c. Failure to appear at the school conference and/or to appear at the early warning program shall result in the filing of a complaint/petition against the parent under Code of Alabama (1975), Section 16-28-12 (c) (failure to cooperate), or a truancy against the child, whichever is appropriate.
3. NO EARLIER THAN SEVENTH UNEXCUSED ABSENCE, OR TENTH UNEXCUSED TARDY PER YEAR, BUT WITHIN (10) SCHOOL DAYS (COURT)
File a complaint/petition against the child and/or parent/guardian, if appropriate.
4. Parent and child can also be assigned to the Early Warning Program if a student has had three suspensions and/or office referrals for discipline or behavioral problems, and for excessive check outs as deemed necessary by the principal or his designee.
5. CHILD UNDER PROBATION
a. The school attendance officer should be notified by the juvenile probation officer of all children in the school system under probation supervision by the juvenile court as consistent with the state statute, Code of Alabama (1975), Section 12-15-100 and 105.
b. Where a child under probation is truant, the school attendance officer should immediately notify the juvenile probation officer.