A student between the ages of 6 and 19 must attend school and district-required tutorial sessions unless the student is otherwise exempted or excused. Also, a student enrolled in a public-school prekindergarten or kindergarten program must attend school. The district employs attendance officers to support students in maintaining good attendance. Parents are strongly encouraged to register for a Skyward Family Access account. Skyward Family Access allows parents to monitor their child's attendance, grades. and schedule to ensure accuracy and take appropriate action when necessary. For information regarding Skyward Family Access. please contact your student's home campus. Parents or students who have concerns about attendance should contact the school attendance office for information and/or referral to an attendance officer.
Failure to Comply with Compulsory Attendance
State law provides that if a student is absent from school without verification by a note from the student's parent or guardian on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year shall be considered in violation of the state compulsory attendance laws. Attendance officers must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory attendance law. State truancy prevention measures will be implemented to monitor school attendance requirements. A court of law may also impose penalties against both the student and his or her parents if a school-aged student is deliberately not attending school. A complaint against the parent may be filed in court if the student is absent from school on ten or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year. If a student fails to attend school without excuse as specified by Subsection (a) , a school district may file a complaint against the student's parent in a county, justice. or municipal court for an offense under Section 25.093 if the school district provides evidence of the parent's criminal negligence. If a student age 12 through 18 violates the compulsory attendance law, the student will be referred to truancy court for truant conduct under Section 65.003(a). Family Code.
Warning Notices/Parent Notification Regarding Unexcused Absences
Texas Education Code Section 25.095 requires school districts to notify a student's parent or legal guardian in writing at the beginning of the school year if the student is absent from school on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year. In accordance with this requirement this officially notifies the parent and or legal guardian that:
1. the student's parent is subject to prosecution under Texas Education Code Section 25.093: and
2. the student is subject to prosecution under Texas Education Code Section 25.094 or referral to truancy court for truant conduct under Section 65.003(a), Family Code.
If a student is absent from school three days or parts of days in a four-week period without
parental consent or is absent without an excuse for 1 or more days or parts of days in a six month period, the district will send a notice home to inform the parent that:
1. it is the parent's duty to monitor the student's school attendance and require the student to attend school; and
2. the student is subject to truancy prevention methods under Texas Education Code Section 25.0915 : and
3. the parent should request a conference with the school officials to discuss the absences.
A student absent from school without permission from any class will be considered in violation of the compulsory attendance law and subject to disciplinary action. The fact that a parent did not receive this notice does not create a defense under Texas Education Code Sections 25.093 or under Section 65.003(a), Family Code. "Parent" includes a person standing in the parental relation to a student in the absence of a parent or legal guardian.
For additional information on Compulsory Attendance Law please refer to Intermediate Student Handbook 2019/2020, which can be found on the Klein ISD Website.