Attendance Glossary — Know the Terms

Understanding attendance terminology is the first step to helping your student stay on track. Here is a glossary of common attendance terms used at MRA:

• Truancy: An unexcused absence or tardiness. California law requires students to attend school regularly.
• Excused Absence: An absence that has been approved in advance or verified (illness with doctor's note, family emergency, etc.)
• Unexcused Absence: An absence without a valid excuse or prior approval.
• Chronic Absenteeism: Missing 10% or more of school days for any reason. This can significantly impact student learning.
• Tardy: Arriving to class after the scheduled start time.
• Independent Study: A structured program where students complete schoolwork outside of the traditional classroom setting, as part of MRA's model.
• Learning Agreement: A formal document that outlines the expectations and schedule for a student enrolled in independent study.

If you have questions about your student's attendance, please contact your MRA center directly.