What is an Unexcused Absence?
An unexcused absence is an absence that does not meet state or district guidelines. Unexcused absences also occur when the parent cannot produce any documentation that explains the absence or if the parent presents documentation that does not meet the criteria for excused absences.
The following absences are excused (with a parent or doctor's note) under state law:
All Grade Levels
- Religious holy days (festivals, ceremonies, etc. are not excused)
- Required court appearances
- Activities related to obtaining United States citizenship or taking part in a United States naturalization oath ceremony (for the student)
- Service as an election clerk
- Documented health-care appointments for the student or a child of the student (a note from the healthcare provider must be submitted upon the student’s return to campus)
- Students in the custody of the state
- Mental Health or therapy appointments
- Court-ordered family visitations, or any other court-ordered activity, provided it is not practicable to schedule the student’s participation in the activity outside of school hour
- Visit with parent or guardian called to duty
Secondary Grade Levels
- College visits - Juniors and Seniors Only (2 days per year)
- Pursuing enlistment in a branch of the US Armed Forces
- Student serving as voting or election clerk
- Student participating in sounding Taps for military honors
The following absences are excused (with a parent or doctor's note) under district policy:
- Personal illness of the student
- Healthcare appointment (doctor, dentist, etc.) with appropriate documentation
- If a student attends school for a portion of the school day, and attends a healthcare appointment on this same school day AND provides appropriate documentation, the student will receive credit for attending the whole day.
- Death of an immediate family member with appropriate documentation
- School official sent student home from school (Nurse, Counselor, LSSP, Administrator)
- UIL Activities
- School-sponsored curricular or extracurricular activities
Parent notes must be turned in or emailed to the school's attendance clerk no later than three school days after the child returns to school. The three-day period begins with the day the student returns to school.
