Attendance Frequently Asked Questions
What are the truancy laws in the State of Texas?
Compulsory School Attendance (Texas Education Code Sec. 25.085) A student between the ages of 6 and 18 MUST attend school and all District required tutorial sessions unless the student is otherwise legally exempted or excused. Upon enrollment in prekindergarten or kindergarten, a child shall attend school.
Failure To Attend (Texas Education Code Sec. 25.085) An individual, required to attend school, who is absent without excuse on ten or more days; or parts of days within a six month period. An individual, required to attend school, who is absent without excuse on three or more days; or parts of days within a four week period.
Parent Contributing to Non Attendance (Texas Education Code Sec. 25.093) If a warning letter is issued, the parent with criminal negligence fails to require the child to attend school as required by law, and the child has ten or more days or parts of days within a six month period, or three or more days, or parts of days within a four week period; the parent shall be charged.
Why did the campus mark my child's absence as unexcused even though I sent a note or called to say that he/she would be out?
The parent/student did not turn in the note or proper guidelines were not followed to excuse the absence. If the student received an early dismissal or came to school late from an appointment they did not turn in the documentation to excuse the absence.
The absence in question was due to personal business such as; shopping, non-medical appointments, missed bus, illness other than the immediate family, work.
There is an error in my son/daughter's attendance; how do I get the absence corrected?
If you have any concerns regarding the accuracy of your student's attendance you will need to contact your student's campus Assistant Principal.
Why did I receive a summons to appear in court?
Truancy charges are filed by your son/daughter's school after:
The student continues to miss school without a valid excuse after receiving warning letters that have been issued after 3, 7 and 10 unexcused absences.
The student fails to meet the terms or conditions of the Truancy Prevention Plan.
If my child refuses to go to school can the school come get him/her?
Administrators cannot force a child to come to school. However, an administrator may be able to conduct a home visit to stress the importance of regular attendance to both the student and parent. Please contact your child's Assistant Principal.
I have been required to submit medical documentation for the remainder of the semester/year for my child's illness, why?
Board Policy FEC(Local) states, if a student has established a questionable pattern of absences, the principal or attendance committee may require that a student present a physician's or clinic's statement of illness after a single day's absence as a condition of classifying the absence as one for which there are extenuating circumstances.
How do I request a parent conference?
Parent conferences, home visits, and telephone calls will be made by appointment on a case by case basis. Please contact your child's campus Assistant Principal to set up an appointment.
Can my student drop out/ stop attending school at the age of 17?
The Compulsory Attendance laws of the State of Texas require that all children between the ages of 6 and 18 are to attend school unless they are exempted from attending by Sec. 25.086 of the Texas Education Code. Students who turn 18 during the academic year are further required to complete that academic year and attend school each and every day school is in session.