Connecting the Dots Towards Graduation Introduce yourself. In order for students to be successful, they must be in school everyday, on time and not leaving early. We are here to empower parents, not to discipline or say you are bad parents. We do not know why you are here or who sent you. Give the original certificate to the school. Keep a copy for yourself. Parents and Students Working Together for Success

Purpose Solve problems that are keeping students from getting to school everyday Show the connection between attendance and academic success Parental involvement Learn about AISD , campus and community resources Answer questions about Texas state law, truancy filings and AISD policies

Texas Compulsory School Attendance Law (a) A child who is required to attend school under this section shall attend school each school day for the entire period the program of instruction is provided. Unless specifically exempted by Section 25.086, 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 reached the child's 18th birthday shall attend school. (c)  On enrollment in prekindergarten or kindergarten, a child shall attend school.

Texas attendance Law Texas state law requires that all students who have not reached their 18th birthday must be in attendance 90% of the days a class is offered. Did you know? Students with too many unexcused absences may NOT be issued credit for their course(s) even if they have a passing grade. The Texas law is written in legal terms. What we’ve done is put the school law in plain English. Please take a look at the golden handout School Attendance Matters. Take a look at the section that says according to the Texas law, AISD can file a complain if the student has missed 3 or more days/parts of days absences, but will usually wait. (Don’t give a definitive…the school won’t file for only 3. They will wait for 10 absences before filing, etc.) Explain that “part of day absences” is anytime a student is late or leaves early…whether it’s one minute, five minutes, 30 minutes, etc. We do not use the word tardy anymore because the law doesn’t use that word, it says a Part of day absence

Truancy Filings Austin ISD can file a complaint against a parent/guardian in court if a student has 3 unexcused “days or parts of day absences” within a 4-week period Part of days-means arriving late (tardy) or leaving before the end of the school day AISD must file a complaint if a student has 10 or more absences during a six month period

AISD Truancy Filings Truancy means “skipping class” Austin ISD can prosecute a student OR parent/guardian in Travis County Court if a student has: 3 unexcused “days or parts of day absences” within one month OR 10 unexcused “days or parts of day absences” within a 6-month period Fines may be as much as $500. There is an appeal process. The Texas law is written in legal terms. What we’ve done is put the school law in plain English. Please take a look at the golden handout School Attendance Matters. Take a look at the section that says according to the Texas law, AISD can file a complain if the student has missed 3 or more days/parts of days absences, but will usually wait. (Don’t give a definitive…the school won’t file for only 3. They will wait for 10 absences before filing, etc.) Explain that “part of day absences” is anytime a student is late or leaves early…whether it’s one minute, five minutes, 30 minutes, etc. We do not use the word tardy anymore because the law doesn’t use that word, it says a Part of day absence

When Is An Absence Excused? Absences are excused IF the student was: Participating in an extracurricular activity (Band, Field Trips, Sports, etc.) Spending time with a mentor Attending a MEDICAID Appointment Involved in court proceedings Involved in a Human Services appointment Observing a religious Holy Day Having a personal illness or doctor’s appointment (with a doctor’s note) Or due to a reason that is pre-approved by the Principal Extracurricular Activity – These are school activities the student participates in like sports, band, etc. School activities should always be excused. We have to get permission from you to take your child off campus, so you are going to know if they are absent for that…you do not have to write a letter for that because ) Mentor – If the student has a mentor or is a mentor for a younger student (and they stay in the school) that should be excused. For Medicaid, Human Services and Court Appointments – If the agency requires the student to attend an appointment, they will be excused as long they parent turns in a letter on school letterhead. Ask medicaid to give you a letter on their letterhead. Religious Holy Day – Need to be pre-approved by the school principal if it is a holy day not observed by the school district Illness – If a student is absent for only 1-2 days, a note from the parent is fine. However, if the student is absent for 3 or more days a note from a doctor is required. Notes from doctors should always be excused. HOW DO WE PHRASE FILING AT 10 UNX/UT…NOT HAVING ANYTHING TO DO WITH HOW MANY Dis that student has had. If a nurse sends your student home, that is excused. Have the nurse communicate that with the school. This is preparing students for the real world…if you work and you don’t show up, you need to call or have a note from a doctor. You can’t just not show up and expect to have a job the next day. The exception for all of these reasons: even if an absence would be excused, a note MUST be turned in and should be turned in within 48 hours. If a note is turned in after 2 days upon returning to school, the school doesn’t have to accept the note and excuse the absence. A NOTE CAN NEVER BE EXCUSED WITHOUT WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION. PHONE CALLS DON’T COUNT. KEEP COPIES OF DOCUMENTATION

more Information About Absences If a student is absent for a reason not on the previous slide, it is “unexcused” If a student has missed 50% of a class, he/she will be counted absent A written note is required for ALL absences and must be turned in to the Attendance Clerk NOT the teacher, located in the main office within 2 days If a student is out sick for 3 or more days, a doctor’s note is required A parent, sibling, or student’s child illness is NOT an excusable absence Can request absence report at any time Provide list of codes for attendance printout Turn notes in directly to the office, not to the teacher - what happens if there is a substitute Absences should be excused If there is a note from a doctor, but it needs to be turned in within 48 hours. Talk to teacher about make up work, but the student can’t always make up work because a lot of learning is oral. 8

Tardies Tardy means arriving to class after the bell has rung Consequences for tardies are handled by school administration Can request absence report at any time Provide list of codes for attendance printout Turn notes in directly to the office, not to the teacher - what happens if there is a substitute Absences should be excused If there is a note from a doctor, but it needs to be turned in within 48 hours. Talk to teacher about make up work, but the student can’t always make up work because a lot of learning is oral. 9

Ways AISD Communicates With Parents Teachers may call you with concerns about your student The “Messenger” automated phone system sends messages to your phone every time your child is absent from school AISD Central Office sends home a letter when you child has 3 or more absences Explain automatic warning letter process

Improving School-Parent Communication If you have not received any phone calls from teachers or the school about your child’s absences OR If you have not received letters or progress reports in the mail from the school THEN THE SCHOOL NEEDS YOUR UPDATED INFORMATION! Please give a current light bill and current phone number(s) to the Attendance Clerk! Explain automatic warning letter process

What To Do If… Your student has failing grades, attendance or behavior problems: Call the teacher to schedule a parent/teacher conference in his/her conference period You get an AISD attendance letter: Go to the school & talk with the Attendance Clerk You get a notice of court filing: Go to the school & ask to talk with the Dropout Prevention Specialist or appropriate staff member WHEN IN DOUBT . . . GO TO THE SCHOOL!!!! Explain automatic warning letter process

Who Can Help Me… Teacher Social Service Specialist (SSS) Teacher Aides Assistant Principal Principal Attendance Clerk/ Office Staff Nurse Parent Support Specialist Social Service Specialist (SSS) Child Study Team After School Programs Homebound Services Dropout Prevention Specialist Communities In Schools (CIS)

Parent Connection Kindergarten – 2nd Grade: 3rd Grade – 12th Grade: Internet-based program that will let parents see: Kindergarten – 2nd Grade: Attendance Report Cards Calendar 3rd Grade – 12th Grade: Assignment Grades And more… For more information, contact the Parent Connection Facilitator at your child’s school. https://gradespeed.austinisd.org/pc/