We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Roles

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What does an Attendance Officer do?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Mar 02, 2024
Views: 35,326
Share

An attendance officer is a school representative who is tasked with investigating cases of prolonged student absences. Attendance officers enforce compulsory attendance laws and monitor the health and welfare of students assigned to their schools or districts. An attendance officer may be hired by an individual campus or by a school district, depending on how the schools in a given area are run. Someone with experience in attendance officer positions can usually find work in any school district.

Periodic absences are not a cause for concern because students may be ill, taking trips with the parents, or engaging in other activities which compel an absence from school, although the district usually requires that the absence be excused with a letter or note which provides information about why a student is not in school. However, if a student misses numerous days of school and no arrangements have been made to compensate for the absence, the attendance officer becomes involved. Students who miss extended periods of school may be violating the law.

Attendance officers investigate to find out why students are not going to school and whether or not their parents are aware. If the parents are aware, the attendance officer determines whether or not the absence is legal. For example, if parents decide to homeschool their children and the district records are not updated, the students appear absent but are in fact being educated at home, and thus the absence is perfectly legal.

If an attendance officer identifies a health or safety situation which is making it difficult for a student to attend school, child welfare representatives may be brought in. Attendance officers also look for issues such as juvenile delinquency or abuse which might be contributing to school absences. Attendance officers can provide students with counseling and other support such as referrals to tutoring which helps them get in school and stay on track.

The goal of an attendance officer is to make sure that all children are receiving an education as mandated by the government and to identify situations which imperil child health and safety so that appropriate steps can be taken. Attendance officers are also involved with students who have discipline problems, including students who are skipping school without the knowledge of their parents. Like other employees of the school district, attendance officers usually have access to pension plans and other benefits and can turn their jobs into lifelong careers.

Share
Practical Adult Insights is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a Practical Adult Insights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By anon167157 — On Apr 11, 2011

I live in San Antonio and the posted salary at one of the bigger districts for this job is $48,000.

By anon134575 — On Dec 15, 2010

I am looking for salary information for this job. The position as stated above is on track to the position. If anyone has information to share, it is greatly appreciated.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.practicaladultinsights.com/what-does-an-attendance-officer-do.htm
Copy this link
Practical Adult Insights, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Practical Adult Insights, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.