Students often require assistance in developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for effective

life management, and academic/professional success. Research and our own data have revealed a strong
correlation between regular school attendance and academic achievement. Our goal is to identify students
at-risk for attendance as early as possible in the school year, and to provide targeted tiered intervention in
support of improved attendance, achievement, and life management skills.

Attendance Intervention Plan

Identification of Target Students - Ongoing communication with Home base teachers will alert the Dean
of Students of individual student attendance trends and concerns. Students who have accumulated five
(5) or more absences and/or incidents of tardiness in any nine-week attendance period (updated
throughout the year) will be identified for intervention.

Needs Assessment & Parent Involvement - We recognize that parent involvement is vital to a child’s
academic success. Phone calls, letters, parent meetings at school, and home visits will be utilized to
inform parents of their child’s attendance status and proactively encourage cooperation in support of
progress. Emphasis will be placed on helping parents understand how a healthy home environment, that
includes time for sleep and study, supports academic success.
To assist families and the school in the identification of behaviors and attitudes that lead to absenteeism
and truancy, a School Refusal Assessment may be administered. This assessment, which identifies the
functions of student absenteeism and tardiness, will assist in the identification of appropriate intervention
strategies.
Instruction – George Washington Carver has adopted a school-wide approach to discipline known as
Positive Behavior Management (PBM). PBM promotes strategies intended to change the focus of our
school’s disciplinary efforts toward positive reinforcement of desired student behaviors without
compromising our expectations for compliance. In addition to consequences, we believe that there should
also be rewards for positive behavior.

 Our instructional PBM approach to attendance intervention is based upon the following principles
 Negative consequences do not change negative student attitudes about school
 Positive reinforcement produces long term change
 Negative consequences can increase the frequency of tardiness and absenteeism
 Life and time management skills can be taught and learned through positive reinforcement
 Incremental reinforcement allows students to observe and appreciate even small improvements in
attendance
 Attendance improvement must always be reinforced no matter how long it takes

Comprehensive school-wide activities will be designed to support the Instructional Phase of

Intervention. Building signs, morning announcements, and school-wide attendance incentives will be
regularly incorporated into the program. In consultation with the School’s Counselor and Attendance
Officer, targeted at-risk students will develop attainable short-term attendance goals with a schedule of
rewards. Daily attendance will be tracked and posted for the individual student’s review, creating a
positive accountability system in support of short and long-term change. Regular contact with the School
Counselor will facilitate meaningful dialogue about the habits and behaviors required for consistent
attendance and academic achievement. This regular dialogue will reinforce the student-school
relationship and provide the student with an expanded support network.
Referral & Support - The responsibilities for assuring the implementation of the interventions identified
in our plan are shared by all staff. The administration of (GWCHS) will support all attendance
interventions by providing practical assistance in initiating communication between students, parents,
staff, and our partner agencies. Student attendance remains a component of George Washington Carver’s
Comprehensive School Improvement Plan, while teachers and staff are provided with continuous support
and training with regard to attendance policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Child Protective Services
PINS Diversion Intensive
Case Management
Program
Life Transformation
Ministries
Multi-systemic Therapy
(MST)
Family Support Institute
Truancy Prevention Program
Partner Agencies
Birmingham Alabama, CPS Unit
1321 5th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35233
Local (205)933-0280
Local: (205) 324-2135
CPS units investigate complaints of abuse and maltreatment or neglect against
children under the age of 18 years. Caseworkers initiate investigations within 24
hours after receiving a report from the hotline and are prepared to begin a
complete safety assessment of the children involved.
Family Court of Jefferson County
120 Second Court North, Birmingham, AL 35204
Phone: (205)325-5538
Students younger than age eighteen who exhibit a pattern of truancy, curfew
violations, or being beyond the control of parents/guardians or school staff are
candidates for a Person in Need of Supervision (PINS) or PINS Diversion
Intensive Case Management Program (PINSDICM) Referral. Key components of
the program include a thorough mental health/substance abuse assessment, drug
screening, family support services, academic assistance, linkage to other
community service agencies, and family therapy once each week.
Youth Transformation Ministries
P.O. Box 282
Chelsea , AL 35043
205) 470-3830
Pilot project aimed at reducing educational neglect and truancy for boys and girls
ages 12-17. Includes morning interventions, screening, evaluations, and the
facilitation of cross-system collaboration.
Multi-systemic Therapy
600 Beacon Parkway West Suite 800
Birmingham, AL 35209 Directions
Phone: 205-917-2990 Fax: 205-917-2980
Families who meet eligibility requirements are provided in-home
therapy. Emphasis is placed on the development of parenting skills and effective
child support networks.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment
2701 Jefferson Ave SW. Birmingham, AL, US, 35211 · (205) 923-6552
State of Alabama licensed mental health clinic providing individual, family, and
group therapies to address a child’s specific needs.
George Washington Carver High School
3900-24th Street North Birmingham, AL. 35207
(205) 231-3507 Fax (205) 231-3973
In cooperation with Focus on Families assistance is provided with school-parent
communication, home visits, student wake-up, and transportation.
 STUDENT ATTENDANCE INTERVENTION PLAN
The purpose of the Student Attendance Intervention Plan is to identify the reason(s) for a student’s
truancy, document the previous steps taken by the school to address the student’s truancy problem, and
develop the plans necessary to improve the student’s future attendance.

Conference Date: ________________________________________________________

Identification information: ________________________________________________

Student’s Name: ___________________________________________DOB: _______________________

School: _______________________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________________

Parent/Legal Guardian: __________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Primary Language: _______________________________________________________

Home Phone: (____) __________________ Cell Phone: (_____) ________________________________

Work Phone: (____ ) __________________ Emergency Phone: (___ )____________________________

Student Attendance History (days absent, past problems, previous schools, etc.)
 _____________________________________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________________________________

Alabama law requires schools to take measures to assist the student and his/her family in resolving an
attendance problem. Documentation of these interventions is necessary and should include dates as well
as comments. The following school personnel should be utilized in the intervention process:

Designated Intervention Team Leader: ____________________________________________________

Intervention Planning Participants: _______________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian (1): __________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian (2): __________________________________________________________________

Teacher: ____________________________________________________________________________

Social Worker: _______________________________________________________________________

Counselor: __________________________________________________________________________

Administrator: _______________________________________________________________________

Special Education –Case Manager (if applicable): ___________________________________________

 STUDENT ATTENDANCE INTERVENTION PLAN
1. School Refusal Assessments Scale Completed Parent Child
2. What is the nature of the student’s attendance problem? (Please check all that apply)

Transportation Issue Safety Issue Health Issues

Too far to go Surrounding Communities
not safe Pregnancy
No Money for Lacking medical care /
Transportation School Not Safe immunizations
No reliable Means of
getting to or from school Gangs Medical problems

School Problem Substance abuse

Academic / School Issue Home Issue Social Issue

 Problems with staff or
other school personnel
 Poor academic
performance
 School discipline
 Suspended from school

Low Achievement
Parenthood
Tending to younger siblings
Parent/Guardian not well
Physical / sexual abuse in the home
Substance abuse in the home
Homeless
Domestic violence
Runaway
Date violence
Neglect
Student is also a parent
Student Characteristics:
Low Attendance
Credit Deficiencies
Gender Intimidation
Gang Activity
Financial Issues
Difficult Peer Relationships
Bullying
Personal Relationships
Other:
Health Failure Rate
Discipline Referral

Drug/Alcohol Problem Health-Related Issues Other:

Please specify the details of the attendance problems(s) checked above and describe any applicable
problems no listed above:
 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 ______________________________________________________________________________________

3. Collaborative recommendations of the student, parent/guardian, and school personnel to

Solve the attendance problem:
 _____________________________________________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________________________________________
 STUDENT ATTENDANCE INTERVENTION PLAN
4. Actions to be taken by the parent(s)/guardian(s) to resolve the causes of the unlawful absences:
□ The parent will make sure that the student is up and prepared for school each day.
□ The parent will make sure the student has transportation to and from school each day.
□ The parent will send written and/or medical excuses when student is absent for a valid
reason.
□ The parent will immediately notify the school by phone or note when the student is absent.
□ Other: _______________________________________________________________________

5. Actions to be taken by the student to resolve the4 causes of the unlawful absences:
□ The student will take the necessary steps to ensure that he/she is awake and is ready for school.
□ The student will attend school daily and be absent only for lawful reasons.
□ The student will immediately provide written and /or medical excuses for all lawful absences.
□ The student has signed an attendance contract (see attached).
□ Other: _______________________________________________________________________
6. Actions to be taken by intervention team members:
□ Develop an Attendance Intervention Plan.
□ Monitor student’s attendance at school.
□ Review and update the Attendance Intervention plan as appropriate or as needed.
□ Refer the student to school administration for additional follow-up by the District’s Attendance
Officer.
□ Other: _______________________________________________________________________

7. Actions to be taken in the event unlawful absences continue:

□ School officials will review and update the Attendance Intervention Plan.
□ School officials will contact the parent by letter or phone to notify them of the continued
absences.
□ School officials will refer the student to the Office of Student Services for continued non-
attendance.
□ Student will be referred to the appropriate outside agency (i.e. Family Court, Child Protective
Services) for intervention.
□ Other: ________________________________________________________________________

8. Referred to Social Service Agency:

□ Student Counseling
□ Parent Counseling Center
□ Student Evaluation
□ Parent Training
□ Alternative Placement
□ Child Care Services

9. The next meeting to review the progress of attendance improvement recommendations will be
held on: ___________________________________________________________________________
10. Weekly attendance will be monitored by: ______________________________________________

_____________________________________
Plan Approval Date

_________________________________________ ________________________________________
Student’s Signature Parent/Guardian’s Signature

_________________________________________ _________________________________________
School Administrator’s Signature Parent/Guardian’s Signature

_________________________________________ ________________________________________
School Counselor’s Signature Agencies Signature & Date

_________________________Conference Contact Documentation_______________________

1st Attempt to Contact Parent/Guardian Successful? [ ] Yes [ ] No
Date: _________________________
[ ] Phone Call [ ] Certified Letter [ ] Other _________________
[ ] Letter [ ] E-Mail

2nd Attempt to Contact Parent/Guardian Successful? [ ] Yes [ ] No

Date: _________________________
[ ] Phone Call [ ] Certified Letter [ ] Other _________________
[ ] Letter [ ] E-Mail

3rd Attempt to Contact Parent/Guardian Successful? [ ] Yes [ ] No

Date: ____________________________
[ ] Phone Call [ ] Certified Letter [ ] Other _________________
[ ] Letter [ ] E-Mail

4th Parent/Guardian attended Intervention Plan Conference? [ ] Yes [ ] No

 ATTENDANCE CONTRACT

I, ________________________, understand that I am being asked to sign an attendance contract

because I have been displaying behaviors consistent with a chronic attendance problem student.
A chronic attendance problem student exhibits a pattern of behavioral characteristics, which
interfere with the learning process of that student; thereby endangering the academic success of
that student and the overall academic success rate of the school.
The following behaviors are the behaviors I agree to improve:
1. I will attend every class every day. If for some reason I have a legitimate excuse for
being absent, I will immediately bring in the doctor’s excuse to the school’s attendance
office the next day of attendance. I will NOT have over 4 unexcused absences in any
class or nine week grading period.
2. I will also make-up all missing work within two days.
In an effort to alleviate future repercussions, I have been counseled on the consequences of this
behavior.
I understand that if I violate this agreement and have 5 unexcused absences in a class again, will
NOT be allowed to appeal and will automatically lose credit in that course.
Regular school attendance is important in order for a student to maintain passing grades and to
remain on track for graduation. Students and parents should refer to the attendance policy in the
parent-student handbook. Students who fail to attend school may be withdrawn at the discretion
of the school.
If I violate any of the above behaviors, I understand that I will be responsible for the
consequences as so determined in the parent/student handbook.
As a student at George Washington Carver High School, I understand that it is important for me
to follow all rules and regulations. In addition, the high school will provide me with
opportunities to meet with the community outreach worker, my counselor and administrator to
discuss concerns as they arise. I am encouraged to discuss situations with the appropriate
personnel in order to make better and more educated decisions before the situation becomes out
of hand.

_______________________________ _______________________________
Student’s Signature & Date Parent or Guardian’s Signature & Date

_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Administrator’s Signature & Date School Counselor’s Signature & Date

_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Agencies Signature & Date District’s Attendance Offices Signature
 Attendance Hardship Appeals Procedures

1. Student must fill out and return Hardship Packet.

2. An In-House Committee consisting of Principal, Assistant Principal, School Social
Workers, Counselor, and Community Stakeholders; Districts Attendance Officer will
review serious cases.
3. A decision will be made by this committee either to go ahead and grant credit or send the
case on to the Appeals Committee consisting of School Staff.
4. The Appeals Committee will meet with each student and review his/her case. The parents
are encouraged to attend this meeting. A decision will be made to either grant or deny the
appeal.
5. The students whose appeals are granted will have to sign an Attendance Contract to hold
them accountable for their future attendance practices.
6. Those students whose appeals are denied will have one more opportunity to regain credit.
These students may make up seat time the first two weeks of the second semester. IF
these students attend after school classes from 3:45 – 5:30 Monday – Thursday during
these weeks and on assigned weekends, Saturday’s 9:00 – 1:00 they may have their credit
reinstated. Students MUST attend ALL classes. There will be NO excuses for missed
days. If they miss a day of these classes, credit will be denied.