Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When a student is out for 3 days, 5 days and 9 days, a district letter goes out to notify parents of their absences.

Yes. Best practice is to turn in documentation for all absences whether excused or unexcused. You should turn in a parent note or a note from the doctor to the school attendance clerk. Information should include your child's first and last name, his/her school ID number, the date(s) of the absence and the reason for the absence. This documentation could also be emailed to the attendance associate.

Chronic absences include all Excused and Unexcused absences.  Truant absences includes only Unexcused absences.

School districts are required to enforce the 90% Rule which states that a student must attend class 90% of the time it is offered to receive a final grade or credit,

Elementary students might have to be retained to gain the skills needed to move to the next grade level. Secondary students may need to make up the hours for missed class time to regain knowledge and skills needed for that particular class.

A school year is about 180 days, so a student that misses more than 18 days a year or about 9 days a semester could be in danger of being affected by the 90% rule.

Section 25.095, Texas Education Code:

If a student is absent without an excuse for ten or more days or part of days in a six-month period or three or more days or parts of days in a four-week period:

1. The student’s parent is subject to prosecution under Section 25.093; and
2. The student is subject to prosecution under Section 25.094

If you voluntarily enroll your child in prekindergarten or kindergarten before the age of 6, school attendance laws apply to them as well.

In Texas, a student is required to be in school starting at the age of 6 (unless enrolled earlier) until they graduate or turn 19 years old.

All students are required to attend school every day. Best practice is to communicate with your school principal to discuss any circumstances if you and your family need to miss school for an extended period of time. 

If your child is out for any reason, you should turn in a parent note or medical note with  your child's full name, the date or dates your child was absent, a reason for the absence and a parent signature.  Notes can be emailed or turned into the office.