Introduction
The San Francisco Unified School District follows the guidelines provided by Education Code 48205, along with the San Francisco Board of Education Policy, for valid excused absences.
State Education Code for Excused Absences:
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Due to the pupil's illness, including an absence for the benefit of the pupil’s mental or behavioral health.
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Due to quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer.
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For the purpose or having medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic services rendered.
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For the purpose of attending the funeral services of a member of his or her immediate family, so long as the absence is not more than one day if the service is conducted in California and not more than three days if the service is conducted outside California.
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For the purpose of jury duty in the manner provided for by law.
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Due to the illness or medical appointment during school hours of a child of whom the pupil is the custodial parent.
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For justifiable personal reasons, including, but not limited to, an appearance in court, attendance at a funeral service, observance of a holiday or ceremony of his or her religion, attendance at religious retreats, or attendance at an employment conference, when the pupil’s absence has been requested in writing by the parent or guardian and approved by the principal or a designated representative pursuant to uniform standards established by the governing board.
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Attendance at religious retreats shall not exceed four hours per semester.
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For the purpose or serving as a member of a precinct board for an election (Section 12302 of the Elections Code.
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For the purpose of spending time with a member of the pupil's immediate family, who is an active duty member of the uniformed services, as defined in Section 49701, and has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support position. Absences granted pursuant to this paragraph shall be granted for a period of time to be determined at the discretion of the superintendent of the school district.
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For the purpose of attending the pupil's naturalization ceremony to become a United States citizen.
For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
- A “civic or political event” includes, but is not limited to, voting, poll working, strikes, public commenting, candidate speeches, political or civic forums, and town halls.
- “Cultural” means relating to the habits, practices, beliefs, and traditions of a certain group of people.
- “Immediate family” means the parent or guardian, brother or sister, grandparent, or any other relative living in the household of the pupil.
Make-Up Work
A student absent from school under this section shall be allowed to complete all assignments and tests missed during the absence that can be reasonably provided and, upon satisfactory completion within a reasonable period of time, shall be given full credit. The teacher of any class from which a student is absent shall determine the tests and assignments which shall be reasonably equivalent to, but not necessarily identical to, the tests and assignments that the student missed during the absence. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange with the teacher to make up missed work.
No student may have their grade reduced or lose academic credit for any excused absence when missed assignments and tests are satisfactorily completed within a reasonable period of time. (SFUSD Board Policy 6154; CA Education Code 48205)
Verification of student absences is accepted only from parents/guardians/caregivers, or the student if he/she is 18 years old or older.
This page was last updated on October 13, 2023