1. 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

2. 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

3. 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 , 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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)

14. 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.