A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to permit students to make up work during unexcused absences and to require schools to develop and IMPLEMENT intervention plans for students with an excessive number of unexcused absences and for students at risk of dropping out of school.
Whereas, the dropout rate in the North Carolina public schools is unacceptably high; and
Whereas, family responsibilities make it difficult for some students to stay in school and graduate; and
Whereas, students who face these challenges may need additional support to graduate; and
Whereas, parental involvement is important to students' educational achievement; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Part 3 of Article 8B of Subchapter IV of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 115C‑105.42.  Unexcused absences from school; intervention plan for students who have an excessive number of unexcused absences or are at risk of dropping out of school.
(a)	Schools shall notify the parent, guardian, or custodian of a child's excessive unexcused absences from school and shall work with the child and the child's family to analyze the causes of the absences and to determine steps to eliminate the problem, as required by G.S. 115C‑378.
(b)	Schools shall give students with unexcused absences an opportunity to make up and receive credit for work missed, including end‑of‑grade and end‑of‑course tests.
(b)	Local school administrative units shall develop and implement intervention plans for students who (i) have more than six unexcused absences or (ii) are considering dropping out of school. Each plan shall include high educational expectations, focus on the educational needs of the child, contain an accountability component, and require a signature by the child's parent or guardian."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2009‑2010 school year.