Reminder: Spring Student Count Day is Quickly Approaching

The State School Aid Act establishes two student count days each school year to determine the amount of state aid distributed to a school: the first Wednesday in October and the second Wednesday in February. The 2026 spring (supplemental) count day is Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

School officials must strictly follow Pupil Accounting Manual requirements to count students in membership and must ensure that:

• each student is properly enrolled on or before the count day;
• student schedules match attendance records;
• attendance records identify the teacher, class, hour, and dates of instruction;
• original attendance records, including computer-generated records, are signed in ink by the teacher of record;
• attendance marks and excused/unexcused absences comply with school policy; and
• each teacher of record is certificated, authorized to teach under RSC Section 1233b, or holds an MDE-issued substitute teaching permit, authorization, or approval.

A student who is absent from class on count day may still be counted if the student:

• has an excused absence and attends within 30 calendar days after count day;
• has an unexcused absence and attends within 10 school days after count day; or
• is suspended and attends within 45 calendar days after count day.

If instruction is canceled on count day due to conditions not within the school’s control, such as a snow day, the school may, with the State Superintendent’s approval, use the next school day on which school resumes session for count purposes. If either count day falls on a day of religious or cultural significance, as determined by the school, the immediately following day on which school is in session is count day.

Finally, districts need to be aware that beginning with the Spring 2026 Count Day on February 11, 2026, schools are prohibited from offering any financial incentives to encourage student attendance on pupil membership count day. Violations can result in a 5% reduction to the district’s state aid funding. If your district chooses to use attendance boosting strategies, please ensure that they are not financial in nature, as even minor well-intentioned rewards could carry significant budgetary penalties for the district.