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 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.

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 $143 more a week than those who don’t finish. College graduates earn $ 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

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