COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE: Texas Education Code, § 25.085

1. 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.

2. Unless specifically exempted by Section 25.086, 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 19th birthday shall attend school.

WARNING NOTICES: Texas Education Code, § 25.095

1. A school district shall notify a student’s parent in writing that if a student is absent from school on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year:

(1)The student’s parent is subject to prosecution under Section 25.093 of the Texas Education Code; and

(2)The student is subject to referral to a truancy court for truant conduct under 

Section 65.003 (a), Family Code

2. A school district shall notify a student’s parent if the student has been absent from school, without excuse underSection 25.087, on three days or parts of days within a four-week period. The notice must:

1. 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 measures under Section 25.0915; and 

(2) request a conference between school officials and to the parent to discuss the absences.

Hays CISD will implement a new policy affecting students who are absent without notice and unreachable for more than five consecutive school days. According to proposed changes to Policy FEA (LOCAL), any student who has had no contact, participation, or has not met the minimum criteria to be marked present for five consecutive school days shall be withdrawn from school.  

Documentation after an Absence (All Grade Levels) 

A parent must provide an explanation for any absence within five (5) school days after the student’s arrival or return to school. The student must submit a note signed by the parent. 

The campus will document in its attendance records whether the absence is excused or unexcused. 

Note: The district is not required to excuse any absence, even if the parent provides a note explaining the absence, unless the absence is an exemption under compulsory attendance laws. 

Doctor’s Note after an Absence for Illness (All Grade Levels) 

Within 5 days of returning to school, a student absent for more than 5 consecutive days because of a personal illness must bring a statement from a doctor or health clinic verifying the illness or condition that caused the absence. Otherwise, the absence may be considered unexcused and in violation of compulsory attendance laws. 

Should the student develop a questionable pattern of absences, the principal or the attendance committee may require a statement from a doctor or health clinic verifying the illness or condition that caused the absence to determine whether an absence will be excused or unexcused.