• Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance

    All Grade Levels

    State law allows exemptions to the compulsory attendance requirements for several types of absences if the student makes up all work. These include the following activities and events:

    • Religious holy days;
    • Required court appearances;
    • Activities related to obtaining U.S. citizenship;
    • Documented health-care appointments for the student or a child of the student, including absences for recognized services for students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, if the student comes to school or returns to school on the same day as the appointment. A note from the health-care provider must be submitted upon the student’s arrival or return to campus; and
    • For students in the conservatorship (custody) of the state,
    • An activity required under a court-ordered service plan; or
    • Any other court-ordered activity, provided it is not practicable to schedule the student’s participation in the activity outside of school hours.

    Children of Military Families: absences of up to five days will be excused for a student to visit with a parent, stepparent, or legal guardian who has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or immediately returned from certain deployments.

     

    Secondary Grade Levels

    In addition, a junior or senior student’s absence of up to two days related to visiting a college or university will be considered an exemption, provided this has been authorized by the board under policy FEA(LOCAL), the student receives approval from the campus principal, follows the campus procedures to verify such a visit, and makes up any work missed.

    An absence will also be considered an exemption if a student 17 years of age or older is pursuing enlistment in a branch of the U.S. armed services or Texas National Guard, provided the absence does not exceed four days during the period the student is enrolled in high school and the student provides verification to the district of these activities.

    Absences of up to two days in a school year will also be considered an exemption for a student serving as:

    • An early voting clerk, provided the district’s board has authorized this in policy FEA(LOCAL), the student notifies his or her teachers, and the student receives approval from the principal prior to the absences; and
    • An election clerk, if the student makes up any work missed.

    An absence of a student in grades 6–12 for the purpose of sounding “Taps” at a military honors funeral for a deceased veteran will also be excused by the district.