Doctor's note no longer excuse for absences at TN school district.

[Ms. Toad]

3. Someone ought to read the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)

Last edited Wed Jul 23, 2025, 10:57 PM - Edit history (1)

and the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Act), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

There were periods when my daughter was hospitalized for a week+, or needed to be absent without hospitalization because of one or the other of her two chronic, life-threatening illnesses.

Her ability to be present in school is a medical decision, which the school board is not competent to assess - nor do they have any right to question her or refer her for truancy. And they are not allowed to punish her (mark her absence as unexcused).

Aside from individuals with disabilities, I had a friend in high school with meningitis - would they really have wanted him to attend school in his contagious state? Measles - just for exposure, the recommended quarantine is 21 days from exposure for unvaccinated individuals? Chicken Pox - the last time I checked quarantine was about 10 days.

If they put all their brain cells together, they would still be dangerous.

ETA: The actual policy (here) is not nearly as bad as the administrators quoted in the article suggest.

I'm leaving my initial reaction to emphasize the need to not only read the article (which I did), but also follow supporting links.

It isn't just that doctor's notes don't excuse an absence - nothing excuses an absence. Absences are absences, without being categorized as excused or unexcused.

If there is a diagnosed medical issue, or an ongoing chronic issue, special arrangements will be made and the truancy policies don't apply.

Nothing in the rules says what the administrator was quoted as saying - that doctor's notes won't get you an excused absence.

All students who are absent are permitted to make up the work so they are not failed simply because of absence if they are otherwise passing.

All the truancy interventions apply only if there has not been an attendance plan arranged with the principal of the school (for diagnosed medical conditions or chronic illnesses)