The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, October 4, 1995             TAG: 9510040007
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A18  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   27 lines

ATTENDANCE ALTERNATIVE

Adults Concerned with Education (ACE), a grass-roots advocacy group, emphatically supports a strong school-attendance policy. However, it does not support a policy in which legitimate absences are not recognized and the authority of the parent is subrogated to a waiver committee.

As an alternative to the current policy, ACE proposes a model regulation formulated by the New York State Board of Education. It recognizes school attendance as a critical aspect of a student's grade and establishes positive intervention policies appropriate to inexcused absences. ACE is prepared to act on behalf of parents and students adversely effected by this policy.

Those who wish to be contacted by an ACE volunteer may call the ACE hotline at 498-2465.

LARRY A. SMITH

Virginia Beach, Sept. 23, 1995 by CNB