All absences, excused or unexcused, may be used against a student’s attendance requirement. The district is not required to excuse any absence, even if the parent provides a note explaining the absence. 

Texas Education Code 25.092 and Round Rock ISD Board Policy FEC state that a student in grades K-8 must be in attendance 90% of the school year. For the purpose of attendance accounting, both excused and unexcused absences are counted; furthermore, days missed due to students arriving late or withdrawing early are counted in the cumulative total in determining the number of days in attendance.

Excused Absence -The only excused absences are personal illness or death in the immediate family (parent, sibling, grandparent, or a member of the immediate household).

Unexcused Absence - A student absent from school for any reason other than personal illness or death in the immediate family will be assigned an unexcused absence. There is no academic penalty for an unexcused absence unless the unexcused absence is due to truancy. Excessive absences can result in loss of credit. A student absent from school without the approval of the school officials and parents will be considered truant and subject to disciplinary action. Prompt and strict action will be taken against truant students. 

A parent must provide an explanation for any absence upon the student’s arrival or return to school. Absence notes must be received within four days of the student’s return to school. A note signed by the student will not be accepted unless the student is age 18 or older or is an emancipated minor under state law. The principal or attendance committee may require a statement from a doctor or health clinic verifying the illness or condition causing a student to be absent for more than five consecutive days or with a questionable pattern of absences. Otherwise, the absence may be considered unexcused and in violation of compulsory attendance laws.