On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization characterized Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic.

Due to rising concerns regarding COVID-19, many districts across the state are evaluating specific precautions for possible action. This has brought to light some questions on how to report student absences and calendar changes. The following guidelines should be followed when your student information system sends attendance and calendar data to the Oklahoma State Department of Education:

Student Absences and Attendance

OSDE expects to receive the following fields/elements within the Attendance Code Info object when a student is absent due to a COVID-19 related reason:

• Attendance Code = "COV"
• Attendance Type = "Absent"
• Attendance Status = "Excused"
• Absence Value = 0.5 or 1.0
• Description = “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)”

This should be used for a student if they are absent for any COVID-19 related reason. This includes but is not limited to

• Showing signs or symptoms of illness
• Potential exposure to illness
• Parent/guardian illness exposure concerns

District Closings and Calendars

OSDE expects to receive the following fields/elements within the Calendar Date object when a district or site is closed due to a COVID-19 related reason:

• Calendar Date Type Code = “0849”
• StudentAttendance/CountsTowardAttendance = "No"
• StudentAttendance/AttendanceValue = 0

A type code of “0849” is described as an emergency day and may only be used on a whole weekday(s) on which the facility/school was closed due to emergency (COVID-19 in this case).

As this is an emerging and rapidly evolving situation, take precautions that prioritize student and staff safety and health.

To find more information and to follow updates regarding COVID-19 please visit:

• The Oklahoma Health Department resource center for COVID-19 at: https:/coronavirus.health.ok.gov
• The Center for Disease Control resource center for COVID-19 at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/