Tishomingo County:
School Attendance
Office
Larry Burcham
School Attendance Officer
SAO 1
Introduction
Purpose: To describe the basic
responsibilities of the
School Attendance
Officer.
Location: Tishomingo County
Technology Center
SAO 2
Topics of Discussion
I. MDE Office of Compulsory
School Attendance (Structure)
II. Mississippi Compulsory
Attendance Law (Summary)
III. SAO Duties / Responsibilities
IV. Contact Information
V. Conclusion
SAO 3
Topic One
The Mississippi Department of Education
Structure Regarding School Attendance:
State Board of Education
State Superintendent of Education
Deputy Superintendent of Education
Office of Drop Out Prevention
Office of Compulsory School Attendance
Tishomingo County School Attendance
Office
SAO 4
Topic Two
Mississippi Compulsory Attendance Law Summary:
Under the Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance law, a
parent, guardian, or custodian of a compulsory school age
child in this state shall cause such child to enroll in and
attend a public school or legitimate non-public school. Under
the provisions of this law, “compulsory-school-age child”
means a child who has attained or will attain the age of six
(6) years on or before September 1 of the calendar year and
who has not attained the age of seventeen (17) years on or
before September 1 of the calendar year, and shall include
any child who has attained or will attain the age of five (5)
years on or before September 1 and has enrolled in a full-
day public school kindergarten program. Provided, however,
that the parent or guardian of any child enrolled in a full-day
public school kindergarten program shall be allowed to un-
enroll the child from the program on a one-time basis, and
such child shall not be deemed a compulsory-school-age
child until the child attains the age of six (6) years.
SAO 5
Topic Three
School Attendance Officer Duties /
Responsibilities:
The School Attendance Officer receives
referrals from each of the schools in
Tishomingo County.
The Attendance Officer works with
students / parents / other agencies to
correct attendance problems.
Student / Parents appear in Tishomingo
County Youth Court if other efforts fail.
SAO 6
Topic Four
Contact Information:
Phone / Fax: (662) 438-8173
E-Mail:
lburcham@tishomingo.k12.ms.us
WEB: www.tishomingo.k12.ms.us
Select District Resources
Select School Attendance Officer
SAO 7
Topic Five
Conclusion:
There is a direct relationship between
student achievement / success and
attendance.
Students are less likely to get into trouble
when they stay in school until graduation.
Students who graduate have many more
options available to them for future
advancement and success.
SAO 8
Thank You For Viewing
– Larry Burcham, SAO
– 2006-2007 Presentation
SAO 9