ADMINISTRATIVE MEMORANDUM
To: Secondary School Principals and Teachers
From: Dr. Bri Conley, Director of Educational Equity & Access
Date: August 12, 2026
Subject: Attendance-Based Grading Under HB 502 Guidance
Purpose
The Salt Lake City School District is providing the following guidance regarding attendance-based grading under HB 502. This guidance is intended to support a fair, transparent, and consistent approach across our secondary schools while ensuring that students and families clearly understand how attendance may affect a course grade.
Under HB 502, teachers in grades 7–12 may choose to include attendance as a component of a student's final course grade. If a teacher elects to do so, attendance-related grade reductions may account for no more than 10% of the student's final course grade.
Teachers are not required to use attendance-based grade reductions. Teachers who use participation points or other grading practices related to engagement or classroom participation are not required to adopt the attendance-based grade reduction provisions described below.
District Guidance
To promote consistency and equitable implementation, the following expectations apply to any teacher who elects to use attendance-based grade reductions:
- Maximum reduction: The maximum attendance-based reduction is 10% of the student's final course grade. Teachers may establish a lower percentage but may not exceed 10%.
- Attendance threshold: A grade reduction may be applied only when a student has:
- Five (5) or more unexcused absences, OR
- Five (5) or more unexcused tardies.
Absences and tardies may not be combined to reach the threshold. A student must meet the threshold in one category.
- Excused absences: Grades may not be reduced because of excused absences.
- Course disclosure: Teachers who choose to use attendance-based grade reductions must clearly identify the practice in their approved course disclosure document. The disclosure must specify the percentage reduction that will be applied when a student meets the attendance threshold.
- Accurate attendance: All teachers are expected to take attendance accurately every period, every day, regardless of whether they use attendance-based grading. Accurate attendance is essential for student safety, state reporting, communication with families, and appropriate attendance interventions.
- Consistent implementation: Teachers who use attendance-based grade reductions must apply the practice consistently and maintain appropriate documentation identifying students who receive a grade reduction. This documentation supports transparency and equitable implementation.
- Timing of grade reductions: Parents and guardians have up to one week to excuse an absence. To allow sufficient time for attendance corrections and verification, attendance-based grade reductions should be applied only when quarter or term grades are finalized.
- Technology support: Information Technology is developing a standardized report to identify students who meet the attendance threshold. This report is expected to be available before the end of Term 1 and will provide schools with a consistent method for identifying students who may be eligible for an attendance-based grade reduction.
Administrative Responsibilities
Principals and school administrators play an important role in ensuring that this process is implemented consistently and equitably.
Before a teacher implements an attendance-based grade reduction, administrators must ensure that the practice and required language are included in an approved course disclosure document. Administrators are responsible for reviewing and approving course disclosure documents in accordance with Board Policy I-8 and its accompanying administrative procedures.
We appreciate the care and professionalism our teachers and administrators bring to attendance practices each day. The goal of this guidance is not to require attendance-based grading, but rather to establish a clear and consistent framework for schools and teachers who choose to use the option provided under HB 502.
Sample Course Disclosure Language
Student attendance will be used to calculate the final grade for this course. Students with five (5) or more unexcused absences OR five (5) or more unexcused tardies will have their final course grade reduced by ___%. The attendance-related reduction will not exceed 10% of the final course grade.
Thank you for your continued commitment to accurate attendance, clear communication, and equitable practices that support student success. Your consistency and attention to detail help ensure that our students and families experience a fair and transparent process across the District.
