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 him or her 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, he enrolled for 16 1/2 hours of
scheduled classroom attendance in an evening high school program. John explained that
he had stopped attending school at age 16 because of illness and now, at age 18, is
too old to attend a conventional high school. He added that he 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 him to be full time according to
its standards and practices. This is an exceptional situation and John has provided
a reasonable explanation for his scheduled classroom attendance of less than 20 hours
weekly.
EXAMPLE 2:
Patty stopped attending Central High School at age 17. After attaining age 18, she
enrolled for 16 1/2 hours scheduled classroom attendance in an evening high school
program. Patty explained that she was pregnant and was embarrassed to return to Central
High. She added that she 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 she could then have more time to pursue her other interests.
Do not consider Patty to be in FTA. This is not an exceptional situation and she did
not provide a reasonable explanation for her 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 her physician's advice, consider this an exceptional situation. Document
the file accordingly.