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Parents >
Compulsory Attendance: It's the Law
One of the keys to student success is being in
the classroom each and every day. As such, the State
of Texas has in place compulsory attendance laws
that require a student be in attendance each school
day for the entire time instruction is provided.
Parents whose student is in violation of these laws
are subject to prosecution under TEC 25.093, while
the student is subject to prosecution under TEC
25.094.
Starting December 1, when a student has accumulated 10
unexcused
absences in a six-month period, or on three or more days or parts of days in a
four week period, a compulsory attendance notification will be sent to
the parent (excused absences do not count against a student for
compulsory attendance purposes). In addition, too many early check outs for
unexcused reasons at all levels or one period unexcused at a secondary level on
three different dates would generate a compulsory attendance notification.
The compulsory attendance letter, which is automatically generated by
computer and sent by the district’s attendance officer, gives the parent notice
that their student has accumulated excessive unexcused absences. The parent is
given a five-day grace period from receipt of the letter to correct any
discrepancies. (NOTE: Parents who have already received a compulsory attendance
notification this year MAY receive a second notification as the transition to the new
system take place. Please contact your campus ADA clerk for any questions).
If after six business days from receipt of the compulsory attendance
notification no corrections are made, then a court warning notice will be sent.
The court warning will notify the parent of the potential of being filed on in
court when one of the compulsory attendance statutes is violated. Should the
student receive additional unexcused absences, a criminal charge will be filed
with the district attorney’s office.
For a full explanation of the district's compulsory attendance policy, see
FEA (Regulation).
College Visits
High school students who meet the following criteria will be allowed to have
one (1) excused day of absence for a college visit during their junior year and
one (1) excused day of absence for a college visit during their senior year:
- The student must have passed the required parts of the TAKS test for the
previous year.
- The student must be on track to graduate on time.
- The student is classified as a junior or senior based upon credits
earned.
- The student is passing all course work.
- The student has no truancy or other attendance problems.
- The student is not in a DAEP placement or assigned to a JJAEP.
Students must submit a written request at least two days prior to the day
requested for a college visit so that eligibility criteria for an excused day of
absence can be verified and approval granted prior to the student participating
in a college visit. Approval will not be granted for a college visit on a day
when major exams are scheduled, and no partial days will be approved. If prior
approval is granted, verification of the visit must be submitted in order for
the absence to be recorded as excused and to not be counted against exam
exemptions. If the college visit cannot be made on the date specified on the
approved written request, a new request form must be submitted for
consideration.
Pre-Arranged Absences
If a student (or the student’s parents) notifies the school of an absence
that will occur in the future, the principal shall notify the student/parent how
the absence will be classified and explain ramifications of absences by
completing the Pre-arranged Absences -- Decision and Acknowledgment
form.
Olympic-Caliber Competitions
Students participating in non-school related, Olympic-caliber competitions
are allowed a total of ten (10) excused absences per year. Documentation of the
designation as an Olympic-level competition must be presented to the principal
for consideration under this provision. (See Exhibit B for an application.) An
Olympic-caliber competition is one in which a student participates in a
regional, national or international contest representing the United States or
any other country that can be reasonably expected to lead to participation in
the Olympics. To qualify for excused absences, the student athlete must be
taking part in a contest or individual tryout sanctioned by the Olympic
Committee.
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