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Attendance/Truancy

The Texas Education Code, Section 25.085, states that a child is required to attend school each school day for the entire period the program of instruction is provided, unless exempted by law.

A student is in violation of truancy when the student is absent 10 or more days, or parts of days, within a six-month period in the same school year, or when a student is absent three or more days, or parts of days, within a four-week period. 

Keller ISD will address, and support attendance laws as follows:

  • Campus automated phone calls to parents and guardians will be made notifying you when your student has been marked absent. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to provide current contact information to the school.
  • Students will be issued a warning notice when the student has absences without an excuse on three days, or parts of days, in a four-week period or five or more days, or parts of days, during the school year. Campuses may also request a conference with the student and parent/guardian to implement truancy prevention measures.
  • A student with absences of eight or more days, or parts of days, during the school year may be required to participate in the Truancy Intervention Program (TIP). The TIP is an information-based intervention program offered to parents and students as an intervention measure before a student receives a referral to truancy court.
  • If a student fails to attend school without an excuse for 10 or more days, or parts of days, within a six-month period in the same school year, students 12 and older, may be referred to the prosecutor of the truancy court of Tarrant County. The court can also file a criminal complaint against parents or guardians who contribute to the non-attendance of his/her student, regardless of the student’s age.

To report your student absences from school please call or email the campus attendance office as soon as possible.

Attendance 101 

Compulsory Attendance

Students enrolled in KISD in PreK-12 must attend school and any related instructional activities. 

Attendance exemptions for which Keller ISD receives daily funding for the student include, but are not limited to: 

  • Religious holy days; 
  • Required court appearances; 
  • Appointments to obtain U.S. Citizenship; 
  • Taking part in a U.S. naturalization oath ceremony; 
  • Serving as an election clerk; 
  • Healthcare appointments (day-of appointment only and student must be at school for part of the school day); 
  • Absences due to a life-threatening illness or related treatment (must have certification from physician); 
  • Students in the custody of the state; 
  • Military (up to five days for students spending time with a parent or guardian about to be deployed, on leave, or recently returned from certain deployments); 
  • Students 15 years and above may have one day to obtain a learner's permit and one day to obtain their driver's license; 
  • Students pursuing enlistment in a branch of the U.S. Armed Services or Texas National Guard (up to four days and must have verification); 
  • Career investigations (students have two days during their junior year and two days during their senior year to explore a career at a professional work place, but acceptable verification must be provided to the district); 
  • Students in grades 6-12 sounding "Taps" at a military honor funeral; 
  • School-sponsored activities. 

Attendance exemptions for which Keller does NOT receive daily funding for the student include, but are not limited to: 

  • Parent notes; 
  • Doctor notes beyond the day of the original appointment; 
  • Funerals; 
  • Suspensions. 

 

90% Rule/Course Credit

In order to receive credit for courses, PreK-12 students must: 

  • Be present during 90% of the days a class is offered, or
  • Complete a plan, with approval from the principal, which insures the student has been present at least 75% of the time and fulfills instructional requirements. Judges for students involved in criminal or juvenile court proceedings must also approve the plan. 

If a student fails to do either of these, then the student will be referred to the attendance review committee. Possible decisions of the committee include: 

  • Acknowledgement of extenuating medical circumstances certified by a physician and an outline of steps to regain credit; 
  • Final grade lost due to absences; 
  • Referral to KISD Truancy Tribunal. 

 

Truancy

Students without any documentation accompanying tardies or absences or who exceed four parent notes each semester are considered truant and will be referred to the KISD Truancy Tribunal which includes: 

  • Court dates; 
  • Daily sign-in sheet at campus front office and with each teacher; 
  • Considerations by the Truancy Majestry. 

 

Final Exam Exemption Policy 

To be exempt from a Final Exam, both middle and high school students must: 

  • Have an 85 average in the course; 
  • Have no ISS, OSS, DAEP, or JJAEP assigned days; 
  • Be present during the exam class period – even if exempt – or they will receive a 0 for the exam; 
  • Be present the full day of school during exam week unless the absence is excused. 

Middle school students must also: 

  • Have no more than three unexcused absences per high school course. 

High school students must also: 

  • Have no more than three unexcused absences in 2nd-7th periods; 
  • Have no more than four unexcused absences in 1st and 8th periods. 

KISD unexcused absences include: 

  • ABS (absence) 
  • PRN (parent note) 
  • TRU (truant)