New, firmer DODDS school attendance policy

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England --  "Be here," is the theme to the new Department of Defense Dependent Schools attendance policy, which was revamped for the 2011-12 school year to be consistent with public schools throughout the United States.

Parents with children attending DODDS schools should familiarize themselves with the more-stringent policy to ensure their child receives the best education and to prevent command intervention.

"Regular school attendance correlates directly with success in academic work," stated Marilee Fitzgerald, Department of Defense Education Authority director, in an education directorate. "[Regular attendence] improves social interaction with adults and peers, provides opportunities for important communication between teachers and students, and provides a cumulative effect of establishing life-long positive habits that are critical for developing career readiness skills and success in college."

Attendance must be in compliance with DODEA Regulation 2740.1, which states students are required to attend school for 180 instructional days per school year.

Too many absences will escalate involvement from parent-faculty, to command-faculty.

"The commander could be involved to give assistance in cases of students being out for seven days or more," said Leo F. Orlando, DODDS Europe Isles District education manager.

Command involvement isn't always automatic, but is available if necessary.

"If appropriate, after seven cumulative absences (excused or unexcused) in a semester, a student support team is convened to review the student's academic and social emotional progress and if appropriate, develop or revise an intervention plan," said Lisa Thompson, 48th Mission Support Group school liaison officer. "When appropriate, the principal shall request command assistance to ensure that appropriate action or services are implemented to improve school attendance."

According to DODEA, medical appointments and other discretionary appointments should be scheduled during non-school time. The 48th Medical Group recommends parents schedule their child's appointment well in advanced and request the first or last appointment of the day, which would maximize learning time.

The 48th MDG also recommends parents enroll in Tricare Online, where medical appointments can be booked 24/7.

According to www.eu.dodea.edu, the new attendance policy establishes a balance between the need for military families to spend time together following deployments.

The full policy and attendance regulation are available online at www.eu.dodea.edu.