Truancy

If a student accumulates 3 days or parts of days within a four week period of unexcused absences, Pearland ISD will begin to implement Truancy Prevention Measures (TPM) as required. Truancy prevention measures (TPM) are required by law to assist parents and prevent the filing with the court for compulsory attendance.

The compulsory attendance letters are automatically generated by computer at 3 unexcused days (or parts of days) in a four week period and 7 unexcused days (or parts of days) in a six month period. The letters gives the parent legal notice that their student has accumulated excessive unexcused absences. In addition, a 90% loss of credit letter will be sent when applicable. A district is required by law to notify the student’s parent the following:

1. Inform the parent that:
   a. It is the parent’s duty to monitor the student’s school attendance and require the student to attend school; 
   b. The student is subject to truancy prevention measures under Education Code 25.0915; and
2. Request a conference between school officials and the parent to discuss the absences.

The fact that a parent did not receive the notices described above is not a defense for the parent’s failure to require a child to attend school nor for the student’s failure to attend school.

TPM’s may include student and parent contact made by a host of school officials such as the Teacher, Attendance Clerk, Counselor, or Administrator. A behavioral attendance contract or documented, regular counseling specific to solving attendance related issues is now required for all Jr. High and High School students. Other requirements may be Saturday School, tutorials, participation in RISE mentoring, change in class scheduling, or application/enrollment in the academic alternative school. A student or parent conference or home visit by the Attendance Officer may be appropriate in some cases as well as referrals to out-of-school counseling or other social services. 

After the warning notice is issued, the truancy prevention measures have been applied with little or no success, the parent with criminal negligence fails to require the child to attend school as required by law and the student continues to miss school, the district shall file a complaint with the court. The truancy prevention facilitator for the district is Susan Holloway. If you have questions about your student and the effect of his or her absences from school, please contact the facilitator or any other campus administrator.

A student between the ages of 6 and 18 must attend school, as well as any district-required accelerated instruction program, extended year program (summer school), tutorial sessions, or disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) assigned unless the student is otherwise legally exempted or excused.

A student who voluntary attends or enrolls at age 19 or older is required to attend school each school day.

Upon enrollment in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten, a child must attend school.

A school district shall refer a parent and student (of age) to truancy court within 10 school days of the student’s 10th unexcused full or partial day absence within a six month period. School employees must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory attendance law.

Skipping: A student absent without permission from school from any class including required special programs, such as additional accelerated instruction or required tutorials, will be considered in violation of the compulsory attendance law and subject to disciplinary action.

Tardies/Late Arrivals: Please make sure your child arrives at school on time. The car drop off line can become extremely crowded in the morning. Your child is never tardy when they ride the bus. If you choose to drive your child to school, please make allowances for rainy days, long car rider lines, and traffic. Please leave your home early to avoid your child being tardy. Campuses open 45 minutes prior to school start time. Tardies will count against your child's exemplary perfect attendance. Please be on time or submit a medical note for your child at the time of arrival. Excessive unexcused late arrivals will be considered as missing part of a day for truant conduct purposes unless there is a rare, extenuating circumstance or a medical note is submitted.

Early Checkouts: Early Checkouts will count against your child's exemplary perfect attendance. Please make sure your child stays the entire instructional day. Unless the student is sent home by the nurse or a medical note is submitted upon the student’s return to school the next day, making a habit of checking out your child early for invalid reasons will be considered an unexcused partial day absence. See Policy FEA (LEGAL)

After Truancy Prevention Measures (TPMs) have been administered and have failed to improve attendance, school employees must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory attendance law. It is important that all parents and guardians be aware of the consequences of unexcused absences from school.

Under Texas Law, the student’s parent or guardian is subject to prosecution under a criminal offense Education Code §25.093.

The student between the ages of 12-18 is subject to referral to a truancy court for truant conduct as a civil matter under Family Code §65.003(a). 

A district may refer a student alleged to have engaged in truant conduct to a court designated as a truancy court under §65.004, Texas Family Code. Under §25.0951(a), a referral for 10 or more unexcused absences within six months must be made within 10 school days from the date of the student’s 10th absence.

The judicial process for truant conduct is governed by Chapter 65, Texas Family Code. Under §65.003, Texas Family Code, truant conduct is conduct committed by a student who is 12 years of age or older and younger than 19 years of age. A student receives consequences the judge will assign at the time of court that include, but not limited to community service, mandatory tutorials, required summer school, Saturday School, counseling, removal of the ability to obtain or use a driver’s license.

Section 25.093 is an offense for contributing to nonattendance, which is committed by a parent. A district may file an action under that section in any justice precinct in the county in which the school is located or in which the person filed against resides. The parent can be fined, in addition to other consequences the judge may assign such as parenting classes, counseling, and community service. Both parents can be charged regardless of who the child lives with at the time of the offense. In addition, other adults who may be contributing to non-attendance may also be charged.

Pearland ISD Attendance Officers and Case Managers investigate possible compulsory attendance law violations, conducts home visits, student conferences, and attend court.

The Case Managers collaborate with campus staff to identify at-risk students, determine factors contributing to truancy and provide intervention. Their dropout prevention efforts include conducting home visits and providing case management and support services to increase student engagement.