Attendance FAQs

Parent notes are accepted and taken into consideration anytime a child is absent from school.  This is especially important in the rare cases a child is facing truancy and meeting with the campus attendance committee.  In regards to official attendance, a parent note will be marked as unexcused which is aligned to the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook (SAAH).  Instruction is a cornerstone of education, and we recognize that time in the classroom with a qualified instructor is invaluable. While we deeply respect and value the unique insights parents have about their children, our goal is not to place any additional burden on families.  The intent is to be more transparent with our families to reflect the attendance we are required to report to the state. It's important to note that the student's presence won't be counted for FSP (funding) purposes on the day(s) of the absence unless the absence aligns with the reasons specified in 3.6.3 Requirements for a Student to Be Considered Present for FSP (Funding) Purposes and meets the relevant requirements. (p58)

No, we understand it is not always practical or necessary to take your child to a medical provider every time they are ill. However, according to the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook (SAAH), an illness related absence can only be marked as excused with documentation from a licensed, certified, or registered healthcare professional practicing in the United States.

Numerous absences, whether excused or unexcused, may jeopardize a student’s ability to receive credit or final grades for classes.  When a student age 6-18 obtains three or more unexcused absences within a four-week period, the law requires the school to send notice to the parent. A court of law may impose penalties against the parent if a school-aged student is deliberately not attending school. The district may file a complaint against the parent if the student incurs 10 or more unexcused absences within a six-month period in the same school year. (see the TEC, §25.092 for these requirements)

Families have the discretion to decide whether to take their child out of school for a vacation. However, the student will not be counted as present for Foundation School Program (FSP) funding purposes during the absence unless it qualifies under one of the reasons outlined in Section 3.6.3, Requirements for a Student to Be Considered Present for FSP (Funding) Purposes, and meets all applicable criteria (p. 58).

Each campus has a set Truancy Intervention Plan if a child reaches the threshold of 10 or more unexcused absences within a six-month period in the same school year.  Parents will be notified of all absences and invited to collaborate with the school to address and improve their child's attendance rate should a chronic attendance issue arise.  Please contact your child’s campus for more information.

If your child becomes ill and is sent home by the school nurse, the absence for that school day will be recorded as excused.

In order for an absence related to illness to be excused, documentation from a health care professional licensed, certified, or registered to practice in Texas must be provided that specifies the student’s illness and the anticipated period of the student’s absence relating to the illness or related treatment.

In Texas, school funding is tied to Average Daily Attendance (ADA), meaning schools receive funding based on the number of students present each day.  Except for the reasons specified in 3.6.3 Requirements for a Student to Be Considered Present for FSP (Funding) Purposes, students who are absent at the official attendance-taking time are counted absent for funding purposes and the school does not receive funding for that student.

Numerous absences, whether excused or unexcused, may jeopardize a student’s ability to receive credit or final grades for classes.  When a student age 6-18 has three or more unexcused absences within a four-week period, the law requires the school to send notice to the parent. A court of law may impose penalties against the parent if a school-aged student is deliberately not attending school. The district may file a complaint against the parent if the student incurs 10 or more unexcused absences within a six-month period in the same school year. (see the TEC, §25.092 for these requirements)

The school district is committed to working collaboratively with students and their families as they navigate chronic illnesses. We encourage you to contact your child’s campus and provide any available medical documentation to help us better understand their needs. This partnership will enable the school to implement appropriate accommodations and create a safe, supportive, and welcoming learning environment for your child. Documentation from a health care professional licensed, certified, or registered to practice in Texas should be provided that specifies the student’s illness and the anticipated period of the student’s absence relating to the illness or related treatment.

Check with your child’s campus to be sure.  A student not on campus at the time attendance is taken may be considered in attendance if the student is participating in an activity that is approved by your local school board. This includes 

• Athletic events including individual competitions, games, or tournaments.
• Fine/Performing Arts events including individual competitions, showcases, or productions
• Career and Technology Education programs including individual competitions, showcases, trainings, or required testing, and 
• School sponsored field trips for academic courses or student organizations

All students shall be allowed to make up work when they are absent from class. Students shall have a time equal to days absent from class plus one day to complete all missed assignments. Under extenuating circumstances such as long-term illness or family emergencies, teachers may choose to give students more than one day for each day missed to make up assignments.

When a student's attendance drops below 90 percent (10 unexcused absences), the student may earn credit for the class or a final grade by completing a plan approved by the principal. This plan must provide for the student to meet the instructional requirements of the class as determined by the campus principal.