The Lawrence County School System has adjusted its controversial attendance policy which previously barred students from using doctor's notes to excuse absences.
The former policy, announced in June, aimed to address high rates of "chronic" absenteeism among students and allow the school system to take control" of student attendance, said Director of Schools Michael Adkins.
The policy outlined penalties for families after a student missed three days of school and stated that students would be referred to juvenile court after eight absences, even if those absences were supported by doctors’ notes confirming illness.
The policy drew significant backlash and sparked outrage among parents, many of whom denounced it and even called for changes in school administration.
On Aug. 21, the school board heard arguments from parents outlining their concerns over the policy and were presented a petition with nearly 3,000 signatures calling for the policy’s revocation. Here's what to know.
Lawrence County Schools revise attendance following community pushback
According to school officials, doctor’s notes are now accepted, but chronic absenteeism still counts.
“We have listened to the community and made adjustments to the attendance policies,” said Board Chairman John Daniel, who added that the board has separated the truancy policy from the chronic absenteeism policy.
Lawrence County Schools have received nearly 900 doctor’s notes since the beginning of the school year, Adkins said. While those absences have been excused, they still count toward chronic absenteeism, which continue to rise year after year, he added.
“They’re still missing school. No matter what you call it — excused, unexcused, truant, chronically absent,” he said. “They’re not in the seat, they’re falling behind. That’s what we’re addressing.”
Although doctor’s notes are now accepted, the school system aims to intervene when they begin to accumulate, he added.
“A doctor’s note will excuse truancy, but it does not excuse chronic absenteeism,” Daniel said.
Intervention will be key to preventing students’ absences from piling up, Adkins said, and it will be up to school administrators to ensure that no child is left behind due to repeated absences.
“We have homebound services that we can bring in to help a child avoid issues related to chronic absenteeism,” Adkins said. “They can still receive instruction, it’s just at a different level and pace. But we don’t know that unless we’re intervening, finding out, and the parents are communicating with us.”
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for the Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her on X at @_leyvadiana
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tenneessee school district adjusts doctor's note policy after controversy
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