Document the file with a statement from a school official if, because of special circumstances,
the student is unable to schedule attendance of at least 20 hours per week; the school
considers the student to be in FTA under its standards and practices; and either:
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The school does not schedule at least 20 hours per week and attending that school
is the student's only reasonable alternative; or
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The student's medical condition prevents them from scheduled attendance of at least
20 hours per week. Obtain appropriate medical evidence from the student.
EXAMPLE 1:
John stopped attending school at age 16. At age 18, they enrolled for 16 1/2 hours
of scheduled classroom attendance in an evening high school program. John explained
that they had stopped attending school at age 16 because of illness and now, at age
18, are too old to attend a conventional high school. They added that they had enrolled
for the maximum number of hours available at the evening high school and that the
school considers the evening program equivalent to the day program.
Consider John to be in FTA if the school verifies them to be full time according to
its standards and practices. This is an exceptional situation and John has provided
a reasonable explanation for their scheduled classroom attendance of less than 20
hours weekly.
EXAMPLE 2:
Patty stopped attending Central High School at age 17. After attaining age 18, they
enrolled for 16 1/2 hours scheduled classroom attendance in an evening high school
program. Patty explained that they were pregnant and were embarrassed to return to
Central High. They added that they had considered enrolling for 20 hours of weekly
classroom attendance at the evening high school but did not because the school considered
16 1/2 hours to be full time and they could then have more time to pursue their other
interests.
Do not consider Patty to be in FTA. This is not an exceptional situation and they
did not provide a reasonable explanation for their scheduled classroom attendance
of less than 20 hours weekly.
If, however, Patty enrolls for less than 20 hours of scheduled attendance for medical
reasons based on their physician's advice, consider this an exceptional situation.
Document the file accordingly.