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What does it mean to "owe hours"?
What does it mean to "owe hours"?
Students cannot miss a class period more than 4 times per semester. Once a student has missed a class more than 4 times, the student will start to accumulate owed hours. This includes excused and unexcused absences.
Any student who does not attend 90% of the instructional day that a class is offered (excused or unexcused) will be required to make-up attendance hours. Students and/or parents will be notified of the hours a student owes. A plan will need to be developed with the student's Assistant Principal for the student may make-up the hours owed.
The State of Texas attendance rules say that a student has to be in a class at least 90% of the time if they want to receive credit for that class. Districts are required to enforce the 90% rule, which states that students in grades K-12 must attend class for 90% of the time it is offered, to receive credit or a final grade. The 90% rule applies to all absences, including excused absences.
At Vandegrift, we require attendance and participation for a student to receive course credit. It is not only the law, but it is also best practice. When a student owes hours, we do not provide them with easy and convenient ways to make them up. We will always encourage students to be in attendance rather than seeking ways to make up hours after the fact.
Texas Attendance Law (the 90% rule):
Texas Attendance Law (the 90% rule):
Attendance for Class Credit or Final Grade Per Texas Education Code §25.092,
Attendance for Class Credit or Final Grade Per Texas Education Code §25.092,
In order for a student to receive credit in a class, a student must attend at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered. A student who attends at least 75 percent but fewer than 90 percent of the days the class is offered may receive credit for the class if he or she completes a plan approved by the Alpha Assistant Principal that allows the student to fulfill the instructional requirements for the class (see below on how to make up attendance hours for credit).
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
At what point do I start to owe hours?
Hours are calculated by class, by semester. To stay in compliance with compulsory attendance laws, a student can miss each class four times per semester without owing hours. Once a student misses their 5th class period (regardless of reason they are absent), they owe 1.5 hours for every additional missed class from that point forward.
What are the consequences of owing hours?
If a student owes attendance hours, they do not receive course credits for those classes. They are also prohibited from receiving a verification of enrollment (required for driver's licenses), are ineligible for off-campus periods, and they will not be able to attend graduation. Hours owed roll over and accumulate from one year to the next and are not cleared unless made up or waived by the attendance committee.
What can I do to avoid owing hours ?
Keep Reviewing Your Attendance Records- Monitor your attendance through HAC. Make sure to send all the documentation within 48 hours of an absence to keep accurate attendance.
Minimize Instructional Time Lost- Schedule any appointments (doctor, dentist, etc.) outside of school hours..
Check Attendance Accuracy- Review your attendance record and absence codes as often as possible. As soon as you notice a problem with attendance, or if you receive a letter and do not recognize the absence dates listed, contact the attendance office (NOT your AP.).
Take care of hours as soon as they are accumulated so they do not become unmanageable.
How can I make up owed hours?
All hours made up must be earned outside normal school hours. Examples may include attending before/after school tutorials, engaging in campus service activities, assisting clubs and extra-curricular activities above and beyond the hours required for credit or participation. 50% of your hours may also be made up through community service outside of school if approved previously by an AP. Please work with your Alpha Assistant Principal to ensure hours are approved, or to make a plan of action to make up owed hours.
You may not make up hours by:
Attending a required school sponsored event.
Tutorials during PIT or lunch (hours cannot be counted during the instructional day).
During an assigned class
Working or volunteering for family members
At a job in which a student receives payment, internship, or other such compensation
What is the difference between excused and unexcused absences?
Excused absences and unexcused absences both count towards attendance hours (the 90% rule). However, excused absences DO NOT count against a student’s truancy record, and therefore will not cause a parent and student to be filed on through the court system. Unexcused absences will count against a student’s truancy record, and can result in disciplinary measures and/or court filings.
School related absences (travel for a football game) do NOT count towards the 90% rule, students are marked present at school related events.
What is the difference between owing hours and truancy?
Owing hours determines whether or not a student received credit for their courses (the 90% rule).
Truancy determines whether or not a student is meeting the compulsory attendance laws; failure to do so may result in disciplinary measures and/or court filings.
How do I appeal my hours?
Hours owed due to extenuating circumstances can be petitioned to be appealed to the VHS attendance committee. You will need to speak with your assigned Alpha Assistant Principal on whether you circumstance is extenuating enough to bring forward to the committee.
What are examples of extenuating circumstances that I can appeal?
Extenuating circumstances include documented doctor visits, residential treatment, partial hospitalization program (PHP), bereavement. This is determined by the attendance committee and is reviewed on a case by case basis. We do not waive hours due to general diagnoses of anxiety, depression, or any condition that may result in lost attendance. Doctors notes will be considered only for dates when they provided services to students.
My child has anxiety and refuses to come to school. Will they still owe hours?
If your child refuses to come to school, please partner with your AP to make a plan to help them succeed in school. We can arrange accommodations and plans to help make school more manageable, but it is a requirement that all students enrolled in public school remain in good attendance or they will be subject to truancy measures and will be responsible for making up hours.
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