1. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE = STUDENT SUCCESS

2. PURPOSE Understand TISD attendance policies
Discuss the different types of absences
Show the connection between attendance and academic success
Answer questions about Texas state law
Share strategies to promote good attendance
Learn about TISD resources

3. UNDERSTANDING ATTENDANCE POLICIES
Excused vs. Unexcused Absences
Truancy vs. Excessive Absences
Following Campus Attendance Policies

4. Refer to District Handbook
ABSENCES
EXCUSED
UNEXCUSED
Documented Illness
Activities related to obtaining U.S. citizenship
College Visit (1 Jr. year, 2 Sr. year)
Religious Holy Day
Court Appearances
Death in the immediate family
Overslept
Missed the Bus
Out of town/Vacation
Parent Sick
Babysitting
Sibling/Parent Appointment
Transportation
Refer to District Handbook
If you are unable to open the hyperlink, please go to . The handbook is found under the “Parent” tab.

5. WHAT TO DO WHEN A CHILD IS ABSENT
Call the attendance clerk the day the student is absent.
Send a note with your child to school upon his/her return. All notes should be submitted to the Attendance Clerk.
All notes must include date, reason of absence, and parent signature.
However, a faxed, , or scanned note is acceptable. All notes including faxed/scanned or notes must include the parent’s signature.
Students at TMS and THS are counted absent if they arrive 15 minutes late to a classroom.

6. TEXAS ATTENDANCE LAWS
One dealing with the required presence of school-aged children in school, e.g., compulsory attendance.
The other with how a child’s attendance affects the award of a student’s final grade or course credit.
Texas state law requires that all students who have not reached their 19th birthday must be in attendance 90% of the days a class is offered.
Did you know?
Students with too many absences may NOT be issued credit for their course(s) even if they have a passing grade.

7. TRUANCY vs. EXCESSIVE ABSENCES
Taylor ISD can file a truancy complaint against a student or parent/guardian if a student is absent from school on 10 or more days or parts of days within a 6-month period in the same school year:
The student's parent/guardian is subject to prosecution under Section
Fines for parents start at $100.00
The student is subject to referral to a truancy court for truant conduct under Section (a) Family Code
Counts all absences:
excused, unexcused &
suspension
Academic consequences
Missing 10% or more of an academic school year.
Missing 2 days a month
a student misses 10% of
academic instruction

8. ACADEMIC IMPACT
Easy for students to fall behind in school work
Hard for students to catch up/feeling lost
Make-up work
Low grades & may result in repeating a grade
Summer school
Fail STAAR
Not allowed to participate in extracurricular activities (sports, band, or dances)
For every day of school missed, it takes two or more days for a student to catch up.

9. ACADEMIC SUCCESS Regular attendance boosts student success
Expanded opportunities
2- year College
4- year College/University
Technical School
Armed Forces
Better jobs
High school graduates earn an average of $143 more a week than those who don’t finish.
College graduates earn an average of $479 more a week than high school dropouts.

10. STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS
Arrive to school on time
Schedule appointments outside of school hours
Bring students back to school if routine appointments must be made during school hours
Talk about educational goals
Get involved at the school
Make sure homework is turned in on time
Develop morning and bedtime routines
Monitor attendance and grades
Parent or Student Self-Serve at

11. METHODS TISD COMMUNICATES WITH PARENT/GUARDIANS
School staff may call you with concerns and about your student’s attendance.
School Messenger: automated phone system sends message to your phone every time your student is absent from school/class.
TISD campuses will send a letter when your child has 3 or more unexcused absences. The letter notifies the parents of the following:
It is the parent’s duty to monitor the student’s school attendance and require the student to attend school.
The student is subject to truancy prevention measures.
Request a conference between the school officials and the parent to discuss the absence
Parent Self-Serve is a portal that allows parents to view their child’s schedule, attendance, and grades. To access parent Self-Serve create an account at under the Parent Tab.

12. RESOURCES Teachers Campus Counselors Assistant Principals
School Resource Officer
Family Support Services or
Attendance Facilitator or
Blue Bonnet Trails or