Skip To Main Content

Forced Failure

A Forced Failure (FF) occurs when a student accumulates MORE than 10 unexcused absences (11+) in a single course during a semester.  Each course is treated independently for the purpose of attendance. The student will not receive credit for the course and their transcript will be marked with an "FF" until certain criteria are met during the following semester*, per an FF Contract (see a Guidance Counselor for more information).

*Mitigation of absences will result in credit being awarded, but will not eliminate them for the purpose of athletic eligibility.

Excerpt from CCS Regulation 4400-R

B.b.i(c) Eleventh Absence – In grades 9-12, if a student misses more than 10 days, Course Credit will be denied unless waived by SSMT.

Student may request an appeal for a waiver to the SSMT (Student Services Management Team) due to extenuating circumstances (i.e. illness, death in the immediate family, etc.). The occurrence may be referred to the principal/designee following appeal to the SSMT. Student must be able to document the number of  absences in excess of ten (10) in order to be granted a waiver. The documentation may be from any absences during the semester. (Waiver decisions will be determined at the end of the semester.)

For the purpose of this regulation, the only calculated code is 2A (unexcused absence).  The following codes are not to be calculated toward a Force Failure:

  • Code prefix "1" (excused absences)
  • Code 3 (OSS)
  • Code 3A (ISS)