ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

Good attendance is of prime importance for the educational development of each student. A student should never be absent unless it is absolutely necessary. Acceptable and excused absences are the following: personal illness, illness in the immediate family, death in the immediate family (immediate family includes parents, grandparents, siblings), and school sponsored activities. Any variations of this may be discussed with the student’s assistant principal or principal.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

A student commits a criminal offense if the student is absent for 10 or more days or parts of days in a six-month period or three or more days or parts of days in a four week period (See Stay in School Program Guidelines).

COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE LAW

The state compulsory attendance law allows for legal action, if necessary, for excessive absences. A student who is absent more than nine (9) days during the semester may not be given credit except as noted below:

Illness of the student, as verified by a doctor’s written statement showing the exact dates of the absence**

 Extenuating circumstances approved by the Campus Attendance Committee, the majority of which consists of classroom teachers

Any student who is absent more than nine (9) days during the semester will be denied credit unless a written appeal is received by the Campus Attendance Committee. Upon receipt of the written appeal, the student’s attendance record will be reviewed by the Campus Attendance Committee to determine if extenuating circumstances exist. Extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to the following:

Illness or death in the immediate family

Late enrollment or early withdrawal of a student placed in or having resided in a community care home by the Texas Youth Commission

Late enrollment or early withdrawal of a migratory student as defined by applicable federal regulations

The observance of religious holy days if the parent submits a written request

Weather or road conditions making travel dangerous

A natural disaster

** It is not necessary to have a note from the doctor each time that a student is ill. However, if the number of absences exceeds nine (9) days in a semester and if medical reasons are given for an additional absence, a doctor’s note will be required for the day(s) of illness in order to receive academic credit, unless waived by the Campus Attendance Committee.

How to Report and Absence

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