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
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. 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

7. 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.

8. 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 $143 more a week than those who don’t finish.
College graduates earn $ 479 more a week than high school dropouts.

9. 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

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