CONCERNING EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR CHILDREN OF FALLEN SERVICE MEMBERS AND CHILDREN OF FALLEN FIRST RESPONDERS.

School absence relief for eligible bereaved children

Arkansas public schools, including open-enrollment public charter schools, must excuse certain absences for children of fallen service members or first responders. Biological and adopted children and stepchildren qualify. First responders include firefighters, law enforcement officers, and people employed as emergency medical providers. Qualifying students are not counted absent for mental health concerns or qualifying support events. Events must be sponsored by groups supporting these families or helping people with traumatic loss, grief, or resiliency. For event absences, a parent, guardian, or person acting as a parent must provide written documentation of the event's purpose. Schools can use the state education department's Military Family Engagement Resources Page to verify support organizations. Students must have good academic standing and a prior record of good attendance. They must turn in missed classwork within the school's deadline. This relief does not cover absences on standardized testing dates.