Schools giving students unexcused absences...

[McDreidel09]

I don't think even 18 year olds are all that reliable.

I hope you are implying MOST and not ALL because I could shoot down that statement if you meant all.

I've been following this thread for a while, but now, I want to put in my two cents after re-reading the OP.

I find it ridiculous that the only time they can get out of school is for those dire situations. My school wasn't as strict, but I got sick a lot with really bad colds that kicked my ass or my monthly got so bad sometimes that I was dry heaving. Not to mention when I was out for a week with a concussion. We were able to have 9 or 10 (I forget which) absences before needing a doctor's note unless it was a death in the family. So as I mentioned before, I got sick a lot so those absences were used up and I was still getting sick, but not doctor worthy. I would go to school sick and then everyone caught what I had, no matter what I did to prevent it.

It is just simply ridiculous that only in dire circumstances can a child be excused. My work and a good chunk of my professors aren't even so strict. With work, I have to call three hours before my scheduled work time to say that I'm not coming in. If I call out sick, I need a doctor's note (dunno if that still stands, since we are switching to franchise and no longer will have our Wicked SM there). With most of my professors, if you are a good student who shows up 99% of the time, have good grades, and aren't a total jackass and let them know the situation, they are more than willing to be more flexible.

[Hobbs]

I hope you are implying MOST and not ALL because I could shoot down that statement if you meant all.

My initial reaction is not nice, but that is what I meant. OF course there are mature 18 year olds, but I, sadly, see them as the minority. Some don't grow up ever, and some get a clue-by-four in college.

if you are a good student who shows up 99% of the time, have good grades, and aren't a total jackass and let them know the situation, they are more than willing to be more flexible.

You just mentioned missing 9-10 classes, and talking about long absences due to illness. Illness is considered an excused absence, so I'm not sure where you're going with there, but missing 9-10 classes certainly isn't 99% attendance.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Again, this is obviously a US schools problem. Back when I was eleven, I was taking a lot of absences at first cuz of period pain. Later on, in fourth year, I started getting migraines so took absence for that. My parents never had any problems.

Then again, I guess I was lucky; my parents only took holidays in school holidays and never went abroad so the other problem never came up.

[McDreidel09]

You just mentioned missing 9-10 classes, and talking about long absences due to illness. Illness is considered an excused absence, so I'm not sure where you're going with there, but missing 9-10 classes certainly isn't 99% attendance.

I didn't make it clear that I was comparing high school and college. Oops. I was sick a lot in High School, but now, not so much.