What is the Regulary Attendance Program?
The Regular Attendance Program (RAP) offers assistance to students (PreK-8th grade only) in Clinton, Jefferson, Marion, and Washington Counties who have experienced 3 or more unexcused absences. The RAP Attendance Specialist works with students and their families to determine solutions to the obstacles that prevent the student from attending school regularly.
Potential Services Provided through RAP:
- Connect the student/family with counseling services
- Assist with trasportation issues
- Personal hygiene/clothing
- Household items
- Assistance with household expenses
What can the School Provide?
The local school district is responsible for attempting to correct the daily absenteeism of a student through:
- Conferences with the parent/guardian
- Communications with the parent/guardian (phone calls, letters, etc.)
- Mental health services
- Shelter
- Optional and alternative education programs
- Tutoring and educational advocacy groups
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Benefits of the RAP Program
- Improved attendance
- Provide family intervention
- Prevent a referral to chronic truancy
- Provide resources to families
RAP Procedures
- At three (3) unexcused absences, the referral to the Regular Attendance Program is filled out and sent to the Rap Specialist. The following needs to be included with the referral:
- Completed referral form
- Last 180 days of attendance
- Any correspondence sent to the parent/guardian regarding attendance
- The RAP Attendance Specialist contacts both the student and the parent(s)/guardian(s). The Attendance Specialist will work closely with the school district, the student and the family to determine and remove obstacles preventing regular school attendance.
- If attendance issues are successfully resolved, RAP services are discontinued. However, all unexcused absences will continue to count towards future attendance issues.
- All documentation from the RAP Progrm will be shared with the Regional Office of Education #13 Director of Truancy to provide a complete record of activity. This documentaion will be utilized should the student and family proceed to court.