Attendance is required by law

Under the Texas State Compulsory Attendance Law, all students age 6-19 must attend school each day for the entire school day unless exempt by law.  This includes students voluntarily enrolled in prekindergarten or kindergarten as well as students 19 years or older. 

Students must also attend class 90% of the days a class is offered to receive credit or a final grade (regardless of excused absences). Students must recover the lost time to receive credit:

• 75-89% attendance: The student must earn credit for the class by completing a plan approved by the principal.

• Under 75% attendance: The student must go through the Attendance Recovery Process.

   

Unexcused voluntary absences for 10 days or more within 6 months (whether in full days or parts of days) violates state law. This may lead to a court referral against the parent, guardian or student.

Attendance procedures

We want all students to succeed, which includes attending every class, every day on time. Students must appear in person at their school to be counted present.

Absences

If a student is not present at the time of attendance, teachers will mark them absent. 

Official doctor notes for absences may be physically turned into the campus, but a digital version (PDF/photo/scan) is preferred. Consequences for multiple absences include:

• Behavior plan

•  Student or parent conference

• Loss of class credit

• Referral to truancy court

Parents are encouraged to speak to a school administrator regarding special situations or circumstances.

How Do I Encourage Good Attendance?

• Build good attendance habits early so children know that getting to school on time every day is important!

• Set a regular bedtime & morning routine, laying out clothes and backpacks the night before

• Avoid scheduling appointments & trips when school is in session.

• Don't let your child stay home unless he/she is truly sick.

• Consider that sometimes a stomach ache or headache is a sign of anxiety. If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to the school about helpful resources.

Did You Know?

• Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind.

• Missing 10% (about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read.

• Students can still fall behind if they miss just 1-2 days every few weeks.

• Being late to school often may lead to poor attendance.

• Regular attendance makes children feel better about school and themselves.

How Can The School Help?

• Your child's school has the resources needed to help with attendance issues.

• Reach out to your child's teacher, school counselor or principal.

• Schedule a phone call or meeting to talk about resources.

• The school can connect you with a pupil personnel worker, school based wellness or mental health services, or the Social and Emotional Well-Being Program's family navigator for community-based resources and referrals.

Texas law requires that children ages 5-18 attend school. If a student is absent for any reason, a written explanation is required within ten (10) school days of the student's return.

Notes received after the deadline may be considered lawful by the principal.

Absences are lawful only under the following conditions:

• Student illness: A doctor's note may be required if a student has been excessively absent for illness.

• Death in the immediate family

• Hazardous weather conditions that would endanger the health or safety of the student when in transit to or from school.

• Work approved or sponsored by the school, school system or state. Written approval is needed in advance. Situations approved by the principal may include:

• College campus visits or orientations

• Scheduled interviews with prospective employers

• Short-term full-time work assignments with family businesses for students not enrolled in work-study programs

• Participation in activities sponsored by the school, district, county or state agencies

• Lack of authorized transportation: This does not include when a student is denied transportation for disciplinary reasons.

• Other emergency or set of circumstances which, in the principal's judgment, is a cause for absence from school.

• State Emergency

• Religious holiday

• Suspension
  Court Summons