School Year Attendance Codes 2023-2024 School Year

This guidance provides assistance to schools for the use of attendance codes to record student attendance.   The reason for attendance and type of documentation received determine which attendance code to use.

Attendance events are modified when the reason code or comments are changed.  This happens when the school receives either written or verbal notification of the reason for the absence.  

With the exception of Absent Unknown and Absent Unexcused, a detailed comment must be entered in each period for the respective excuse code.

If an attendance event or code needs to be changed, see the guidelines here for more details on changing an attendance code. 



1

Attendance Codes 

2

Code

Definition

Situation

Status Type

Excuse Type

Documentation Needed

3

CLS



Class Excused

Student not physically present, but is participating in a school approved activity. 

Present

Exempt



Attendance  Roster  of  School Structured Activity (Field Trip, Extra Curricular Club, Off Campus Event), Attendance Roster of Athletic Team 

4

DNI

Device Not Issued

Use this code when a student is unable to participate in/attend virtual learning because they have not yet been issued a Chromebook/device.

Absent

EXCUSED

 

5

DR



Death of Relative

Death of immediate family member or relative. The absence is limited to a period of three days unless a reasonable cause may be shown by the applicant child for a longer absence.

Absent

Excused

Copy of Obituary, Memorial Card or Copy of Death Certificate.

6

EXC



Excused Absence

Verified student absences. Student excuse note required to document absence.

Absent

Excused

Court Notice*, Observation of Religious Holiday documentation, College Visit Excuse Note from Admissions Office, Absences Excused by Principal on the Request for Principal Approval of an Excused Absence Form,  or other documentation as outlined by Board Policy 5200.01. 

7

ELV



Early Leave

Parent/Guardian signs a student out of school and  provides documentation that supports excused absence.

Absent

Excused

Student must be signed out on Student Release Log and have same documentation as required  for EXC.

8

EUX



Early Leave Unexcused

Parent/Guardian signs a student out of school and fails to provide documentation of excused absence.

Absent

Unexcused

Student Release Log

9

FCE



Foster Care Excused

Student recently had a change in Foster Care Guardianship that has resulted in an absence or student was absent due to a Foster Care related court appearance.

Absent

Excused

Addendum D of the ICCA (Individual Childcare Agreement) or  court documentation. 

10

FICD

Faculty Internet Connectivity Disruption

Used when a teacher who is working remotely cannot access the internet due to an Internet Connectivity or Technology Disruption and provide scheduled synchronous learning opportunities.

Absent

Excused

Document email from teacher notifying of the ICD in your daily attendance file (digital).

11

HOM



Home Instruction

This code applies to students absent from school and assigned home instruction by the Home Instruction Office, and do not have a Secondary Enrollment to Home Instruction.

Absent

Exempt

Home  Instruction Approval Letter 

12

INS



Institutionalized

Code applies to those students admitted to a psychiatric hospital, treatment center, or substance abuse facility.

Absent

Exempt

Court Documents, Facility Document

13

KDG

Staggered Start Kindergarten

Beginning of the Year Staggered Start

Absent

Exempt

Official District Calendar, Letter from School

14

JICQ

Juvenile Intervention Center Admission Quarantine

This is used to reflect the mandatory quarantine due to COVID-19 prior to students receiving education when admitted to the Juvenile Intervention Center. This code will be used on the school of attendance calendar. Enrollment into the JIC will occur at the conclusion of the Quarantine.

Absent

EXCUSED

Documentation of admission to the JIC.

15

LB

Late Bus

Student has been prevented from attending class due to district provided transportation issues.

Absent

EXCUSED

Bus Route Roster/Log of Late Busses, Documented Verification with Transportation Office

16

MED

Medical

Student was absent due to medical reasons such as illness, injury, medical appointment, or medical reasons indicated by Medical Professional or approved by Principal.

*This code is also permissible during the pandemic for symptomatic students whose parents/guardians keep them home from school based upon COVID symptoms observed outside of school.

Absent

EXCUSED

Medical Professional Excuse Note or Letter from Medical Professional, Principal Approval for an Excused Absence Form indicating the absence is for medical reasons.

Documentation that the student is being treated/followed by a medical professional for a condition which the medical professional determines may cause the student to be absent from school. This documentation does not need to specifically identify the date of absence but must be updated annually for the current school year. Parent/guardian should reference the documented condition when requesting excusal of absence from school.

As of 1/10/2022 you will use PMD when verification is received from parent/guardian that their student is exhibiting COVID symptoms.

17

MEL

Medical Early Leave

Parent/Guardian is signing out a student due to medical reasons such as illness, injury, medical appointment or other medical reasons indicated by Medical Professional or approved by Principal and  provides documentation of excuse (from Medical Professional or Request for Principal Approval of An Excused Absence Form)

Absent

EXCUSED

Student must be signed out on Student Release Log and have same documentation as required  for MED.

18

MLA

Medical Late Arrival

This is used when a student is reporting to school after the official start of the school day and provides documentation of an absence due to illness, injury or medical appointment, as outlined by Board Policy 5200.01.

Absent

EXCUSED

Student must be signed in on Late Arrival Log and have same documentation as required for MED.

19

MAH



Medical with Class Work 


Code applies to students determined as medically fragile or chronically ill.  These students are under physician care and have disabilities documented by a physician.

Absent

Excused

Documentation from Medical Professional, IEP, Documentation from teacher that work was completed.  See District Guidelines on Coding for Medical Issues.

20

NCH

Nationwide Children's Hospital

Students that are admitted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and being taught by CCS teachers onsite at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Absent

Exempt

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Average Daily Membership (ADM) Report or Notification letter/email from CCS teachers at NCH or program supervisor.

21

Parent Authorized absence codes are absences reported by the parent/guardian for board approved excused activity that does not have supporting documentation. A parent/guardian is allowed to excuse 9 attendance days using these codes. After 9, additional documentation is required. Board Approved Reasons: Attendance Notes Board Policy 5200: Attendance

22

PAA



Parent Authorized Absence

Parent provides absence note for board approved excused activity but does not provide supporting documentation. Written parent notes must be signed by the parent. To be used for full-day absences only.

Note: If for a medical reason, use PMD code

Absent

Excused

Parent Note (Must be signed by Parent/Guardian), Student Absence Notification Form (Completed by staff, if taken via phone)


23

PAEL



Parent Authorized Early Leave

Parent provides dismissal note for board approved excused activity but does not provide the supporting documentation for the ELV code.  Student must be signed out on the Student Release log and Parent signature is required on the documentation.

Note: If absence is for medical reason, use PMEL code

Absent

Excused

Parent Note, (Must be signed by Parent/Guardian), Student Release Log, signed by Parent/Guardian.


24

PALA



Parent Authorized Late Arrival

Parent provides tardy note for board approved excused activity but does not provide the supporting documentation for the TEX code.  Student must be signed in on the Late Arrival Log and Parent signature is required on the documentation.

Note: If absence is for medical reason, use PMLA code

Absent

Excused

Parent Note (Must be signed by Parent/Guardian), Student Late Arrival Log, signed by Parent/Guardian.


25

PCE



Project Connect Excused

Student is homeless or in transition and has been identified by Project Connect.

Absent

Excused

Student must be flagged as Project Connect for the date associated with the absence.  Parent note documenting reason related to a student’s homeless/in transition situation.

26

PK



Staggered Start Pre-K

Beginning of the Year Staggered Start

Absent

Exempt

Official District Calendar, Letter from School

27

PMD

Parent Medical

A parental excuse for a full day of absence for a medical reason. Written parent notes must be signed by the parent. To be used for full-day absences only.

Absent

Excused

Parent Note (Must be signed by Parent/Guardian) , Student Absence Notification Form (Completed by staff, if taken via phone)
As of 1/10/2022 this code is also being used when verification is received from parent/guardian that their student is exhibiting COVID symptoms.

28

PMEL

Parent Medical Early Leave

A parental excuse for an early leave for a medical reason. Student must be signed out on the Student Release log and Parent signature is required on the documentation.

Absent

Excused

Parent Note, (Must be signed by Parent/Guardian), Student Release Log, signed by Parent/Guardian.

29

PMLA

Parent Medical Late Arrival

A parental excuse for a late arrival for a medical reason. Student must be signed in on the Late Arrival Log and Parent signature is required on the documentation.

Absent

Excused

Parent Note (Must be signed by Parent/Guardian), , Student Late Arrival Log, signed by Parent/Guardian.

30

SICD

Student Internet Connectivity Disruption

Used with a student who scheduled for remote learning cannot access the internet due to an Internet Connectivity or Technology Disruption and participate in learning opportunities.

Absent

Excused

Upload notification from Student or Parent/Guardian to the student Attendance Document Repository.

31

TEX



Tardy Excused

This is used when a student is reporting to school after the official start of the school day and provides documentation of an excused absence as outlined by Board Policy 5200.01. Student must be signed in on the Late Arrival Log.

Absent

Excused

Student must be signed in on Late Arrival Log and have same documentation as required for EXC.

32

TTC



Tardy to Class

This documents a student that was present in the building, but tardy to class.  Not to be used when student is late to the building and signed in tardy.

Present

Unexcused

Teacher Attendance Entry

33

TUX



Tardy Unexcused 

This is used when a student is reporting to school after the official start of the school day. 

Absent

Unexcused

Student Late Arrival Log

34

TWP



Transportation Wait Period

This is used when there is an absence due to a scheduling delay in district provided transportation.

This code can be used for Project Connect students or students with a Special Education plan where the bus route assignment may take a little longer to be routed.

The code can also be used for students in grades 9-12 from the day they opt-in for transportation until the start date of the transportation assignment. The Transportation 9-12 tab will indicate whether a student chose to “opt-in” for transportation.

The attendance code can be used for the entire duration that the student is not provided CCS transportation and the parent can’t bring the student to school.

As long as the student has not been assigned CCS transportation and they are eligible (and opt-in if necessary) the code can be used.

 

Absent

Excused

Documentation verifying delay (such as an email or written documentation of verbal conversation confirming delay) AND it is confirmed that the student is eligible for transportation.

35

UNX



Unexcused Absence 

Student absences that have not been verified. School office has not received parent excuse note, documentation or notification as to the reason for absence or the reason for absence is not excusable as per Board Policy 5200.01.

Absent

Unexcused

N/A

36

Attendance Codes Associated with Behavior Resolutions

37

Code



Definition

Situation

Status Type

Excuse Type

Documentation Needed

38

ISS



In School Suspension

This code applies to a student assigned to In-School Suspension status.

Present

Exempt

Behavior Resolution, ISS, Attendance Roster

39

OSS



Out-of-school suspension with homework

Student is absent from class because of an out-of-school suspension.  Homework is assigned during the length of suspension.

Absent

Unexcused

See out of School Suspension Procedures Guidelines.



40

RMV

Disciplinary Removal

Student is removed from school pending a parent/guardian hearing

Absent

Unexcused

Hearing Resolution, Behavior Letter



Frequently Asked Coding Questions and Common Coding Concerns

Frequently Asked Coding Questions and Common Coding Concerns

  • Family Emergency – Initially coded as UNX (Unexcused); A Request for Principal Approval Form can be submitted for approval. If approved by Principal the absence coding can be changed to EXC* (Excused).

  • Family Vacation - See Administrative Guidelines On Coding For Family Vacations (5200.01). A Request for Principal Approval Form must be submitted for approval.

  • Early Dismissal for Doctor’s Appointment – Parent has signed the Student Release Log and indicated the reason of Doctor’s Appointment, written note from Doctor was not provided. This should be coded as PMEL. This code should be changed to MEL once documentation is received from the Doctor.

  • Nationwide Children’s Hospital – This code is only to be used for students that are admitted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital AND BEING TAUGHT by CCS teachers onsite at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. This code is NOT to be used for regular doctor appointments at Nationwide Children’s Hospital facilities. The documentation required for this code is: Nationwide Children’s Hospital Average Daily Membership (ADM) Report or Notification letter/email from CCS teachers at NCH or program supervisor.

  • Late Arrival for Car Trouble – This is not an excusable reason and is to be coded as TUX (Tardy Unexcused).

  • Field Trips – When students participate in a field trip, it is important that all parties understand their role in the attendance taking procedures. On the day of the trip, the supervising individual must provide a roster indicating who is actually attending the field trip. This list must be provided to the attendance office prior to leaving the building. The attendance office will use the provided roster to edit the attendance code to CLS (class excused) for the period of time that the students were out of the building. Teachers that are not participating in the field trip should take electronic attendance. If the teacher has students absent, due to their participation in a field trip, the teacher should mark those students absent.

  • Court Excuse* - Court documentation must have student’s name as appearing or needing to be a witness. Attending with a family member is not an excusable absence.



Coding "Appointments"

When a parent indicates in a phone call, attendance note, or on the Late Arrival/Early Release Log, that a student's absence was due to an "appointment", the type of appointment must be specified.  The reason "appointment" is not a board approved reason for an excused absence.  The appointment type, such as a doctor/dentist appointment, must be indicated.

 

 

1

Inactive Attendance Codes  - These are codes used previous years that are not currently in use.

2

Code

Definition

Situation

Status Type

Excuse Type

Documentation Needed

3

PALS



Positive Alternative for Students

This code applies to students assigned to PALS Center as a result of discipline infraction

Absent

Exempt

Assignment to PALS Centers in agreement with school administrator and parent.

4

TIC



Truancy Intervention Center

Code applies to students assigned to the Truancy Intervention Center.

Absent

Exempt

Documentation from Truancy Intervention Center

5

TPD

Teacher Participation Discrepancy

Used when a teacher is electing to use option 2 to indicate that a student indicated they participated in virtual learning but did not meet the participation standard as determined by teacher discretion. 

Absent

Unexcused

Teacher must document the discrepancy in the PLP Contact Log and then email the building administrator notifying them of the discrepancy.  The building administrator will inform the secretary via email to update the attendance if appropriate.

Important

The secretary must enter an attendance comment when updating the attendance. 

The comment shall read: 

"[Teacher Name]: Student did not participate”



6

VPRT

Participated in Virtual Day

Used to replace the Unexcused Absence Code when a student was not checked-in for virtual learning but documentation was received from the parent, teacher or admin that the student participated. 

Present

Excused

Student Absence Change Request Form or email documentation from the teacher or building administrator. 

7

C19E

Covid-19 Exposure

Family reports student exposure.

Student exposed individually or as a small group ( not a cohort exposure).

Siblings/students living in the same household of a symptomatic student.

Absent

EXCUSED

ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

  • Printed email from Parent/Guardian,

  • Student Absence Notification Form,

  • Absence form from the nurse (Health Services only),

  • Copy of “Parent Letter for Students Sent Home”,

  • Documentation from doctor if provided, but not required.

  • Infinite Campus Tracking Tab

8

C19E

Covid-19 Exposure

Family reports student exposure.

Student exposed individually or as a small group ( not a cohort exposure).

Siblings/students living in the same household of a symptomatic student.

Absent

EXCUSED

ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

  • Printed email from Parent/Guardian,

  • Student Absence Notification Form,

  • Absence form from the nurse (Health Services only),

  • Copy of “Parent Letter for Students Sent Home”,

  • Documentation from doctor if provided, but not required.

  • Infinite Campus Tracking Tab

9

C19P

Covid-19 Positive Case Reported

Family reports positive case.

Absent

EXCUSED

ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

  • Printed email from Parent/Guardian

  • Student Absence Notification Form

  • Absence form from the nurse (Health Services only)

  • Copy of “Parent Letter for Students Sent Home”

  • Documentation from doctor if provided, but not required.

  • Infinite Campus Tracking Tab

10

C19S

Covid-19 Symptomatic

Student exhibits symptoms in school, as listed in COVID-19 Tracking.

Absent

EXCUSED

  • Absence form from the nurse (Health Services only)

  • Copy of “Parent Letter for Students Sent Home”

  • Infinite Campus Tracking Tab







Department of Accountability & Other Support Services
Division of Information Management