SCHOOL ATTENDANCE = STUDENT SUCCESS
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
UNDERSTANDING ATTENDANCE POLICIES Excused vs. Unexcused Absences Truancy vs. Excessive Absences Following Campus Attendance Policies
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 www.taylorisd.org . The handbook is found under the “Parent” tab.
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, e-mail, or scanned note is acceptable. All notes including faxed/scanned or e-mail notes must include the parent’s signature. Students at TMS and THS are counted absent if they arrive 15 minutes late to a classroom.
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.
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 25.093 Fines for parents start at $100.00 The student is subject to referral to a truancy court for truant conduct under Section 65.003(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
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.
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.
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 www.taylorisd.org
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 www.taylorisd.org under the Parent Tab.
RESOURCES Teachers Campus Counselors Assistant Principals School Resource Officer Family Support Services jmatthews@taylorisd.org or 512-352-3910 Attendance Facilitator cwineland@taylorisd.org or 512-352-1730 Blue Bonnet Trails http://bluebonnetmhmr.org or 512-352-6339