Attendance Information

• Religious holy days (requires proper documentation from church leader);
• Required court appearances;
• Activities related to obtaining United States citizenship;
• Service as an election clerk; and
• Documented health-care appointments, including absences for recognized services for students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, if the student is absent only a portion of the school day. A note from the health-care provider must be submitted within 3 days of the student’s return to campus.
• Students 17 years of age or older pursuing enlistment in a branch of the U.S. armed services or Texas National Guard (max. 4 days- requires documentation)

• Personal illness (with a doctor’s or parent note)
• Serious illness or death in the immediate family
• Medical or dental appointments (with a doctor’s note)
• Weather or road conditions making travel dangerous
• Extenuating circumstances approved by the Principal (5 day maximum per school year)

When sickness or other obligation necessitates an absence, a note signed by the parent/guardian explaining the reason for the absence is required the day the student returns to school. If a student fails to submit a note, the absence will be considered unexcused.

The student will be allowed three (3) days to submit a written note excusing an absence. Visit your campus website for instructions and contact information for your attendance/data clerk. It is very important to send a note because the absence will be unexcused if a parent/guardian fails to provide a note within the specified time. Unexcused absences are what triggers the warning letters regarding violation of truancy laws and can lead to filing of failure to attend school charges.

Upon return to school, a student absent for more than 5 consecutive days because of a personal illness must bring a statement from a doctor or health clinic verifying the illness or condition that caused the student’s extended absence from school. Should the student develop a questionable pattern of absences, the principal or attendance committee may require a statement from a doctor or health clinic verifying the illness or condition that caused the student’s absence from school. [See policy FEC(LOCAL).]

NOTE: If your student is absent due to illness, please include his/her symptoms in your note. This is particularly important during this time as we are tracking absences related to flu and flulike symptoms to report to the health departments. Please let us know if your child has a fever, sore throat, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. If your student will be absent more than one day, a call would be helpful.

Yes, consult the student handbook regarding makeup work guidelines. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain work from the teacher and to turn it in within the allotted time.

A student is to be in attendance for a minimum of 90% of the school year. A high school student must be in attendance for at least 90% of the days that classes are offered in order to receive credit for the course. Schools must send a Warning Letter when a student has three (3) or more unexcused absences in a four week period. Schools can request Court Action when a student has ten (10) or more unexcused absences in a six-month period within the same school year. Court Action can only be requested on a parent or guardian after the warning letter has been sent.

Absences can be made up for credit only. Attendance committees may hear petitions for class credit by students who, due to extenuating circumstances, are in attendance fewer than the number of days required for credit. Schools also provide alternative ways for students to make up or recover lost credits due to absences. Made-up credits do not exempt students from prosecution.

A 19 year old who voluntarily enrolls or attends school must attend school each school day for the entire time instruction is offered (TEC 25.085). A school district may revoke enrollment of an 19 year old that has more than five unexcused absences in a semester (TEC 25.087).

A student must be at least 12 years old to be charged with Failure to Attend School (TEC. Sec. 253094). If a child is enrolled in school (including Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten), but younger than 12 years, only the parent/guardian will be charged with Parent Contributing to Non-Attendance (TEC. Sec.25.093). 

If a parent/guardian is found guilty, they may be fined up to $100 plus court costs. The judge may place the parent under court supervision. Other consequences, such as, the parent being ordered to attend parenting classes, family counseling with the student, or to go to school with the student, may be assessed as well.

Every effort should be made to contact a parent. Multiple avenues are utilized. Calling devices are used at each campus, as well as report cards and progress reports. After three (3) unexcused absences each campus will send a notice on school letterhead, after ten (10) or more unexcused absences, the school may file a civil case against the student. 

Board Policy FEA allows withdrawal of a student for nonattendance. A student may be withdrawn if the student has been absent on ten (10) consecutive school days or more and repeated efforts by school officials to locate the student have been made but failed.