Attendance
One of the keys to student success is being in the classroom every day. As such, the State of Texas has in place laws (Texas Education Code and Texas Family Code) that require a student be in attendance each school day for the entire time instruction is provided. Two state laws, one dealing with compulsory attendance, the other with attendance for course credit, are of special interest to students and parents.
Students can be considered absent if they miss all or part of the school day, including late arrival and early pick-up. This includes all tardies.
When a student is absent from school, a note must be provided via the Absence Portal or in writing for it to be considered excused. Students are allowed 5 days each semester to be excused with a parent note.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does compulsory attendance apply to my child?
- Are there exemptions to attendance requirements?
- If my child is absent more than 90% of the time, can they still earn course credit?
- How many parent notes/emails will the campus accept if my child is absent?
- Do attendance laws apply to children enrolled in prekindergarten or kindergarten?
- What happens when a child is late to school or class?
- Can my child leave school early?
- What if my child misses part of the day for a doctor’s appointment?
- What if my child has recurring doctor’s appointments throughout the year?
- What is the difference between an excused and unexcused absence?
- What do I do if my child has to be absent due to a family emergency, illness, etc.?
- What if my child needs to miss school due to an out-of-country obligation like a family emergency, celebration, visa, or immigration appointment?
- Can my child make up their work if they are absent?
- What if my child needs to miss school due to a religious holy day?
- What if my child’s absence is incorrect?
- What is the official attendance time?
- How does late pick-up/early morning drop-off affect my student?
- What do the attendance codes mean?
- How do I obtain a Attendance Verification to get a Drivers License?