The attendance webpage is designed to inform WFISD administrators, staff and community about truancy laws and board policy. The sources used to compile information for the handbook are the Texas Education Code, the Texas Family Code, the Texas Juvenile Justice Code, WFISD Board Policy and Bulletins, and the Wichita County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Place 2.
The goal of the attendance office is to help students to be successful in completion of high school. It is our duty to encourage and enforce compliance of the compulsory attendance laws.
Often, administrators are confronted with complex issues for truancy. It becomes the responsibility of the school to find solutions for attendance problems. Litigation should be the final option to remedy truancy issues.
The webpage should be used as a resource for administrators and staff. Pertinent attendance laws are included on this page. For more information about Texas laws, access the Texas Legislature Homepage atwww.capitol.state.tx.us. Your truancy case worker should also be used as a resource to help combat truancy at your school.
Attendance FAQs
- Why did I receive an attendance letter in the mail?
- Why is attendance important?
- What can I do?
- What is the Compulsory Attendance Law in Texas?
- Are parents and their child held responsible for their school attendance?
- For what reasons may my child be excused from school?
- Can my child's absence be excused for a religious holiday?
- What happens if I keep my child out of school for other reasons?
- What are the penalties for violating attendance laws?
- Can my child lose credit for being absent?
- How do I report my child's absence?
- Can absences be made up?
- How is tardiness handled?
- What if my child refuses to attend school?
Why did I receive an attendance letter in the mail?
Pursuant to Section 25.095 (Texas Education Code),we are required to notify parents/guardians ofunexcused absences prior to court.The letter is a means of information to keep parents informed about absences.The letter is generated by a software program if documentation is not received within three days.Sometimes the informational letter may cross in the mail before the student returns to school.Please contact the school to clear up any misinformation about the absence(s)/letter.
Why is attendance important?
Graduating from high school is a major event in a student's life. Some young people are not reaching this goal because of chronic absenteeism and truancy. It is estimated that, nationwide, one out of four ninth graders will not complete the twelfth grade. However, there is a role the parent can play in making sure that your child does not become one of the growing statistics known as a dropout.
What can I do?
Value education and give it high priority in your family! Convey a positive attitude about school and treat going to school as part of the normal course of events, something that is expected of your child. Letyour childknow that school is the most important thing in his/her life at this time, and that his/her future job opportunities will depend on how well he/she handles his/her present "job" (school). Helpyour childdevelop good study and work habits and praiseyour childwhen he/she is successful. Get to know your child's friends as they have more influence with him/her at this time in his/her life than you do. Get personally involved in school activities, go to sporting events, attend plays and concerts, join the PTA/PTO, volunteer, read the school paper. Know what's going on!
What is the Compulsory Attendance Law in Texas?
A child who is at least six years of age or who is younger than six years of age and has previously been enrolled in first grade and who has not yet reachedhis or her19th birthday, shall attend school.
Upon enrollment in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten, a child shall attend school. [TEC. Sec. 25.085]
Are parents and their child held responsible for their school attendance?
Only the parent is legally responsible for their child's regular attendance as long as the child falls under the guidelines of theCompulsory Attendance Law.Failure to attend schoolis a Class C misdemeanor filed in the Justice of the Peace Court and in other courts inWichitaCounty. It is filedagainst parents.
For what reasons may my child be excused from school?
Texasrecognizesthe following as valid reasons for absence:
- illness of the child;
- sickness or death in the family;
- quarantine;
- religious holy days;
- any other unusual cause acceptable to the school officials.
Parents must submit documentation within three days of returning to school.If you have sent the information to school and you receive a letter from the attendance office, please contact the school for confirmation of receiving the documentation.
Can my child's absence be excused for a religious holiday?
Your child will be excused for the purpose of observing religious holidays if you submit a written request/documentation for the absence.
What happens if I keep my child out of school for other reasons?
If your child is not properly excused from attendance and you fail to keep him in school for the period specified by law, you will bewarned, in writing, that attendance is immediately required. If, after this warning, youintentionally, knowingly, recklessly,or withcriminal negligencefail to require the child to attend school, you havecommitted an offense. This offense may result in the filing of a complaint against you in the Justice of the Peace Court of your resident precinct and other local courts, for engaging in conduct described in Section 51.013(b)(2), Family Code. [TEC. Sec. 25.093]
What are the penalties for violating attendance laws?
Each dayyourchild remains out of school after the warning has been given, or yourchild has been ordered to attend school by the juvenile court, may constitute a separate offense. You may be subject to a $500 fine plus court costs.
The student may be ordered to complete community service, counseling program, or a career development class.
The court may order the parent to attend school with theirchild.A criminal background check will be conducted on all parents that attend school.[TEC. Sec. 25.093]
Can my child lose credit for being absent?
Yes. It is required by law, that a student must be in attendanceat least 90% of each class, in order to receive credit for class.[TEC Sec. 25.092]
How do I report my child's absence?
Parents of students are urged to notify the school office by9 a.m. on the morning of any absence, or as soon after that as possible. Also, parents should phone the school each morning thereafter until the student returns to school.Parents shouldremember to send a note with their student explaining the absence on the day they return. Documentation must be provided within 72 hours followingthe absence.
Can absences be made up?
Yes -- for credit only.Attendance committees may hear petitions for class credit by students who, due to extenuating circ*mstances, are in attendance fewer than the number of days, required for credit. Schools are also to provide alternative ways for a student to make up work or regain lost credit because of absences. TEC. Section 25.092. Refer to Board Policy FEC (formerly FDD) for appeal process guidelines.
Recovered, made up, or appealed absences to attendance committees may not exempt a student and/or parent from court action. Saturday school does not erase absences.
How is tardiness handled?
Tardiness disrupts class and creates a disturbance to the instructional process. Students must be in theirassigned seats when the tardy bell rings. If your child gets to class after the roll is taken, he may be marked absent for attendance purposes.
What if my child refuses to attend school?
It is well known that the adolescent years are particularly stressful years for students, and making the move from elementary to middle school and middle school to high school can bring about behaviors that were not present before.
Truancy and other forms of chronic school absenteeism are only symptoms of more serious problems such as poor self-image, depression, inability to make new friends, drug or alcohol problems, and negative peer pressure, abuse, poor academic skills, family and financial difficulties. When any of these or similar symptoms appear, you can help by immediately taking one or more of the following actions:
- check report cards for absences, low conduct marks and grades;
- call the school if you think your child has "skipped" school;
- if the school calls you,please provide accurate information.You encourage them by teaching themthat there are no consequences for breaking rules.
Once a student is withdrawn from school and before they can be re-admitted to school, the parent or legal guardian must be present at the school to re-enroll the student.
It isvitalthat students attend school on aregular basis to be successful. It is a policy that schools contact parents of students who are absent.
Students will be withdrawn after 20 unexcused absences or before with appropriate information from a parent or reliable source.
Remember: Teenagers need parents who care enough to enforce rules and ask for help when it's needed.
