The term minor when used in any statute, shall include any person, male or female, less than twenty-one years of age.  MS Code § 1-3-27

 

This school district shall comply with the requirements of the Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law (§ 37-13-91).  Appropriate reports as required by law shall be provided to the Mississippi Department of Education’s Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement.

 

COMPULSORY- SCHOOL-AGE CHILD

 

"Compulsory-school-age child" means a child who has attained or will attain the age of six (6) years on or before September 1 of the calendar year and who has not attained the age of seventeen (17) years on or before September 1 of the calendar year; and shall include any child who has attained or will attain the age of five (5) years on or before September 1 and has enrolled in a full-day public school kindergarten program. Provided, however, that the parent or guardian of any child enrolled in a full-day public school kindergarten program shall be allowed to disenroll the child from the program on a one-time basis, and such child shall not be deemed a compulsory-school-age child until the child attains the age of six (6) years.

§ 37-13-91 (2) (f) (2003)

 

Compulsory-school-age children must be enrolled in school unless the child is:

 

a.         Physically, mentally or emotionally incapable of attending school as determined by the appropriate school official based upon sufficient medical documentation;

 

b.         Enrolled in and pursuing a course of special education, remedial education or education for handicapped or physically or mentally disadvantaged children; or

 

c.         Being educated in a legitimate home instruction program.  § 37-13-91 (3)

 

REPORTS

 

If a compulsory‑school‑age child has not been enrolled in school within fifteen (15) calendar days after the first day of the school year or if a child has accumulated five (5) unlawful absences during the school year, the superintendent shall, within two (2) school days or within five (5) calendar days, whichever is less, report, on the form provided by the State Department of Education, the absences to the school attendance officer.  The superintendent, or his designee, shall report any student suspensions or student expulsions to the school attendance officer when they occur.   § 37-13-91 (6)

 

School districts shall maintain accurate records documenting enrollment and attendance in a manner that allows the State Department of Education to make an assessment of changes in enrollment and attendance, including dropout rates.

 

The State Department of Education shall compile annually a statewide report on school district effectiveness in reducing absentee problems, dropout rates, and other attendance-related problems during the previous school year, incorporate the information into the annual Mississippi Report Card required by Section 37-3-53, Mississippi Code of 1972, on school district performance and offer technical assistance and coordination services to assist districts in improving performance.

 

UNLAWFUL ABSENCES / VALID EXCUSES

 

An "unlawful absence" is an absence during a school day by a compulsory-school-age child,  which absence is not due to a valid excuse for temporary nonattendance.  Days missed from school due to disciplinary suspension shall not be considered an excused absence under this section.  Each of the following shall constitute a valid excuse for temporary nonattendance, provided satisfactory evidence of the excuse is provided to the superintendent or his designee:

 

a.         Attendance at an authorized school activity with the prior approval of the superintendent of the school district or his designee.

 

b.         Illness or injury which prevents the student from being physically able to attend school.

 

c.         When isolation is ordered by the county health officer, by the State Board of Health or appropriate school official.

 

d.         Death or serious illness of a member of the immediate family, which includes children, spouse, grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, stepbrothers and stepsisters.

 

e.         A medical or dental appointment with prior approval of the superintendent or his designee, except in the case of emergency.

 

f.          Attendance at the proceedings of a court or an administrative tribunal if the student is a party to the action or under subpoena as a witness.

 

g.         Observance of a religious event, with the prior approval of the superintendent or his designee.  (Approval should not be withheld unless, in the professional judgment of the superintendent or his designee, the extent of the absence would adversely affect the student’s education.)