MS HB1036

Clarifies that students participating in authorized school activities approved by the school district superintendent are considered present for average daily attendance reporting purposes, including field trips, athletic contests, student conventions, musical festivals, 4-H, FFA events, and service as a page at the State Capitol.

Changes the threshold for marking a student absent for an entire school day from 37% to 50% of the instructional day, requiring written documentation from Extension Agents or FFA Advisors for 4-H and FFA absences.

Removes previous statutory language that listed authorized school activities as separate excused absence categories and consolidates these activities into the attendance presence provision.

Modifies Section 37-151-5 to align definitions of "average daily attendance" and "minimum school term" with the 50% instructional day threshold, removing outdated provisions about State Board of Education activity authorization scheduled to expire July 1, 2016.

Makes conforming changes to include charter schools in the compulsory attendance law's definitions and certificate of enrollment requirements, effective July 1, 2018.