Proposal would clarify student absences and require school guidance

Students may be absent for medical reasons when a parent or medical provider authorizes it. This applies to students absent from school for medical reasons. Medical reasons include appointments and illness.

School districts must allow specified absences for pregnant students and students parenting a child under thirteen. The four-day allowance covers pregnant students and students parenting a child under thirteen. With appropriate documentation, a student who is pregnant or parenting a child under thirteen may be absent for four consecutive or separate days. With appropriate documentation of the birth, the district must allow at least ten consecutive days after the student's child is born. The ten-day allowance applies upon the birth of the student's child.

A school principal may approve absences for religious instruction or tribal obligations. Students may seek approval to attend religious instruction or meet tribal obligations. Religious instruction is limited to one class period per school day, must not conflict with the school's academic program, and requires written parent consent. Tribal-obligation absences also require written parent consent. The school does not take responsibility for religious instruction or allow it on school property.

Students may be absent as provided in an individualized education program or a disability-related accommodation. This covers students with disabilities whose absences follow an education program or a qualifying accommodation. A student with a disability under federal special education law may be absent as provided in the student's individualized education program. Other absences must be supported by an accommodation under federal disability laws or New Mexico's Human Rights Act. Students absent as allowed by this section must get time to make up missed work, and those absences do not count toward an excessive-absence finding.

The Public Education Department must develop and publish written guidance for school districts. The guidance is for school districts. The guidance must explain how to implement the Attendance for Success Act, including its rules for allowable absences.