Setting up attendance exception rules

Based on the daily attendance code that PowerSchool SMS generates for each student [>>], you can have PowerSchool SMS alert you to unusual attendance patterns that merit appropriate action. You can specify each such attendance exception by setting up an attendance exception rule [Figure 105]. For example, you can set the system to alert the homeroom Teacher when a student is recorded tardy 5 times in a week, or alert the School Secretary when a student is absent on 3 consecutive days.

To set up an attendance exception rule

[You can do this if your role is School Administrator.SA]:

In the Admin menu, click School Setup. The School Setup page appears.

Or, click Attendance.

Click Attendance Exception Rules. The Attendance Exception Rules page appears.

From the Actions menu, click Add Attendance Exception Rule.... The Add Rule page appears.

To view a rule, click the rule’s name.

To edit a rule, click the rule’s name and on the Edit Rule Actions page click Edit (or select the rule and in the Actions menu click Edit Attendance Exception Rule...).

To delete a rule, select the rule and click Delete Attendance Exceptions Rule....

Enter a Rule name.

Under Define By, define the occurrences for which PowerSchool SMS is to watch:

Select "Total" to have PowerSchool SMS watch for the total number of occurrences of an attendance code type, such as "Any Absence", "Any Excused Tardy".

Or, select "Consecutive" to have PowerSchool SMS watch for the total number of consecutive occurrences (for example, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) of an attendance code type, such as "Any Absence", "Any Excused Tardy".

Or, select the Combined total of the selected codes check box to have PowerSchool SMS watch for the total number of occurrences of specified attendance codes. Specify the codes in the Selected codes list (move them from the Available codes list).

Set at least one threshold:

1st Threshold : Specifies the number of occurrences after which PowerSchool SMS takes action. Any number between 1 and 99 is acceptable.

2nd (and higher) Threshold: Option that specifies the next number of occurrences at which PowerSchool SMS takes action. Each threshold must be a higher value than the previous.

Set the Count within period: Specifies the calendar period within which PowerSchool SMS counts occurrences. When the period ends, PowerSchool SMS resets the occurrences to 0. The default period is from the first day of the school year to the last.

Click Continue. The Edit Rule Actions page appears.

Set rule actions:

Under Action by Rule Threshold, set the daily time at which PowerSchool SMS sends any alerts [>>] associated with this rule.

For each # Threshold, specify an alert notification [>>], if desired.

Click OK.

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Set up attendance exception rules	School Setup > Attendance Exception Rules	Edit	[>>]