DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — Dothan City Schools (DCS), in partnership with the Houston County District Attorney’s Office, is addressing concerns about chronic absenteeism, an issue impacting nearly 24% of students in the district this school year.
Research indicates that students missing at least 18 days annually—about two days per month—are seven times more likely to drop out of high school. Additionally, elementary students with chronic absenteeism are at higher risk of reading below grade level by third grade.
According to the DCS Code of Conduct, families are allowed 10 excused absences with parent notes per school year. Beyond that, absences must be documented with a physician’s statement. After three and four unexcused absences, parents receive notifications. By the fifth or sixth unexcused absence, students are referred to the Houston County Truancy Prevention Project or early warning truancy court. Continued unexcused absences may lead to a referral to Houston County Juvenile Court Services, which can result in legal action, including potential arrest and prosecution by the Houston County District Attorney’s Office.
Students with 13 or more absences could face retention decisions from school administration. Parents are encouraged to review the DCS 2024-2025 Code of Conduct for details on attendance policies or contact their child’s school attendance liaison for updates on attendance status.
Early warning truancy court is held at the Dothan Police Department, 210 N. Andrews Street. Remaining court dates for the school year include Jan. 17, Jan. 31, Feb. 14, Feb. 28, March 14, April 11, and April 25.
Dr. Charles Corbitt, Director of Student Services for DCS, emphasized the critical role attendance plays in academic success. “We want your children to be in school 100% of the time because we know in order for students to be academically successful they must be in school,” Dr. Corbitt said. “If your child has to be out of school, please make sure it is an excused absence so you can avoid Truancy Court and potentially being charged with a Class A misdemeanor.”
Dr. Corbitt further highlighted the importance of classroom learning. “This world will pay you for what you know. How do you know something? By learning from the teacher! How do you learn? From a teacher and by being in school!”
For more information on early warning court or DCS efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism, contact Dr. Charles Corbitt at 334-793-1397.
