Regular and punctual attendance is the greatest single factor in school success. Texas Compulsory Attendance Law requires students to attend regularly unless otherwise exempted by law. It is the responsibility of the parent and student to cooperate and communicate with the school on all attendance matters. The key to high school graduation is strong school attendance and parental involvement. When a student is absent, parents or guardians should submit the necessary documentation as soon as possible, which is recommended within 48 hours of the absence. This documentation must justify the reason for the absence to ensure proper coding. See LISD Parent & Student Handbook for complete attendance policy.
Attendance Video – English | Attendance Video – Spanish
Commitment Agreement – English | Commitment Agreement – Spanish
How Can Parents Help?
- Make education a family priority.
- Build your child’s self-confidence as a student by recognizing when he or she does well in school.
- Help your child develop good study and work habits.
- Schedule a daily period of home study time.
- Help with homework when needed.
- Help your child develop and achieve academic goals.
- Meet your child ’s teachers and other school personnel.
- Get to know your child ’s friends and classmates. Find ways to discuss issues, subjects and course materials being covered at school.
- Don’t let your child risk his or her future; make sure he or she attends school every day!
When Your Child is Absent
Please send a signed note with your child to school as soon as he/she returns. All student absences must be verified in writing by a parent. Written verification of the absence must be received by the school within two (2) days of a student’s return to school. It is best to submit a handwritten note directly to the attendance office. However, a faxed copy of a parent’s note or a scanned and emailed copy of a parent’s note is acceptable. Both faxed and emailed notes must have an original parent’s signature (not a typed cursive font).
All notes should include:
- Student’s full legal name
- Student ID# and grade
- Date (s) of absence
- Reason for absence
- Parent signature (not a typed font)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Texas Attendance Laws?
Section 65.003 of the Texas Family Code states: (a) A child engages in truant conduct if the child is required to attend school under 25.085, Education Code, and fails to attend school on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year.
What is the 90% Rule?
Texas Education Code Section 25.092 states, “a student may not be given credit for a class unless the student is in attendance for at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered.” This means that students will need to make-up class time missed due to excessive absences. Even if your child has excused absences, he or she may be asked to make up class time to earn credit for classes.
What if I disagree with the school?
If you feel your child’s circumstances warrant additional consideration before making up class time talk with your child’s Assistant Principal about the campus attendance appeals process
What is an excused absence?
Excused absences are not viewed as days a student is entitled to take. Excused absences include, but are not limited to, personal illness, funeral/memorial, quarantine or weather or road conditions that make travel dangerous.
What is an unexcused absence?
An unexcused absence is any absence that does not meet the definition of an excused absence (example: personal business or vacation).
