This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia to eliminate the existing numerical cap on excused absences for students participating in approved extracurricular and educational activities. Specifically, it removes the limitation that previously restricted the total number of excused absences under certain categories to 10 per school year. The new provisions state that excused absences for participation in school-approved activities will not be subject to a numerical cap, provided that the activity is pre-approved by the school principal, and that written consent from a parent or guardian is obtained. Additionally, the supervising teacher or activity sponsor must verify the educational purpose of the activity, and students must be given a reasonable opportunity to complete any missed academic work.

Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the restoration of local decision-making authority to parents, teachers, and school administrators regarding student attendance. It allows county boards of education to adopt policies related to documentation and academic expectations for excused absences without imposing a numerical limit on approved extracurricular participation. The bill also clarifies that students participating in sanctioned activities will be considered present for attendance purposes and cannot be penalized for their participation. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance student engagement in extracurricular activities while ensuring that attendance policies remain flexible and supportive of students' educational experiences.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-8-4