Important Policies

The following are important policies that are commonly referenced by teachers:

Attendance

Attendance Expectations

It is expected that students will attend seminary each day it is held. Teachers and leaders should teach principles and blessings associated with attendance in seminary.

Student Attendance

Student class attendance must be recorded in WISE before an individual is officially enrolled. Teachers are to ensure that a student’s attendance is properly recorded by taking roll each day. 

After two weeks of class, students who have registered but never attended can be removed from class rolls by program administrators after every attempt has been made to contact the student and encourage them to attend seminary. Parents, priesthood leaders, and school officials (where applicable) should be consulted prior to removing a student from seminary.

Attendance Rolls

Seminary teachers are required to keep an accurate attendance roll for each class. The attendance and academic performance of each student should be tracked and recorded in WISE. Paper attendance rolls may be used if the teacher is unable to access WISE. These rolls are official student records and should be given to the coordinator or seminary principal at least monthly (more frequently if possible) so that they can be recorded. It is not necessary to retain and store paper attendance rolls once they have been recorded in WISE.

Makeup Work

When makeup assignments are required, they should be given to bless and not punish the student. Specific assignments are determined by the teacher and should generally be related to the work missed. The assignments should be meaningful, reasonable, and individually suited to the needs and abilities of the student. Please be aware of the following:

• Attendance above the minimum requirement in one term may not be used as makeup work in another term.

• Students not meeting the attendance requirement and not completing the makeup work should not be given credit for the course.

• Teachers should take the initiative to work with students who have not yet received credit to assist them in completing the course.

• Although institute classes can be taken for seminary credit for those who complete high school/secondary education early (see “Early High School/Secondary Education Completion”), institute classes are not to be used for seminary makeup work. Students should be encouraged to complete all four courses of study and receive a graduation diploma.

• Students are permitted to do makeup work during the years they are enrolled in high school/secondary education and up to one year after completing their high school/secondary education. Students who begin their mission service during this one-year extension period are allowed one year following their mission to complete the makeup work.

Tardiness

Tardiness is not to be equated with absences. Seminary credit may be withheld, however, for flagrant tardiness. Parents should be made aware of tardiness problems and must be given ample opportunity to help correct the problem before credit is withheld. In some cases, the parents or teacher may wish to ask for the bishop’s involvement. In each case, sensitivity to the student’s continued enrollment and success in seminary should be the foremost concern.

Credit

For all class types, in order to receive a Certificate of Completion or Graduation Diploma, students must also receive an ecclesiastical endorsement. This endorsement is designated by the signature of the priesthood leader on the Certificate of Completion or Graduation Diploma.

In order to earn credit each term toward seminary graduation, students must fulfill the requirements for each class type listed below.

Daily Classes

• Complete the assigned course scripture reading.

• Pass course learning assessments.

• Attend at least 75 percent of all classes held.

Online Classes

• Complete the assigned course scripture reading.

• Pass course learning assessments.

• Complete 75 percent of the online assignments. A student completes a day’s assignment by completing all of the assigned activities for the day. Online assignments should be done each weekday. Teachers should consider individual needs and abilities when determining completion.

• Attend at least 75 percent of all classes (Zoom sessions) held.

Leadership and Student Activities

Class Officers

A seminary teacher may appoint a class president and a secretary. Before making these appointments, the teacher contacts the bishop for approval. The teacher considers all worthy students for class officers, including those who have disabilities. The teacher announces officers in class, but they are not sustained or set apart. These officers assist the teacher as needed.

Student Leadership and Activities

The primary role of seminary is teaching the gospel. Therefore, the number of seminary activities held in or out of regular seminary classes should be minimal. When class presidencies or student council members are used to assist in the seminary program, their involvement outside of regular seminary hours should also be minimal. Teachers and administrators should be sensitive to the family, Church, and school responsibilities of their students. Note: Student councils only apply to released-time programs.

Student Activities

Social activities for seminary-age youth are included in the assigned role of the Young Men and Young Women organizations of the Church. Seminary student activities should support the Objective of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion, the S&I curriculum, and the current lessons being taught. No money should be collected from seminary students for activities or any other purpose.

S&I cannot authorize travel involving seminary-age youth; any seminary activity conducted outside of normal seminary class hours or away from seminary premises should be reviewed, considered, and approved well in advance by the stake presidency before it is implemented. When such activities are approved, adherence to all Church policies is required. Plans for the accommodation and participation of students who have disabilities should be made in advance to ensure successful seminary-sponsored activities. Seminary student council members or students should not be expected to miss their public school classes to participate in seminary activities. Note: Student councils only apply to released-time programs.