Students who are at least six years of age, or who have been previously enrolled in first grade, and who have not yet reached their 19th birthday shall attend school for the entire period the program is offered, unless exempted as indicated below. On enrollment in prekindergarten or kindergarten, a student shall attend school. [See policy FEA].

A person who voluntarily enrolls in school or voluntarily attends school after the person's 19th birthday shall attend school each school day for the entire period the program of instruction is offered. After the third unexcused absence of a person who voluntarily enrolls, a district shall issue a warning letter to the person that states the person's enrollment may be revoked for the remainder of the school year if the person has more than five unexcused absences in a semester.  [See policy FEA].

Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance

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 (requires proper documentation from church leader);
• Required court appearances;
• Activities related to obtaining United States citizenship;
• Service as an election clerk; and
• Documented health-care appointments, including absences for recognized services for students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, if the student is absent only a portion of the school day. A note from the health-care provider must be submitted within 3 days of the student’s return to campus.
• Students 17 years of age or older pursuing enlistment in a branch of the U.S. armed services or Texas National Guard (max. 4 days- requires documentation)
• 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 the student receives approval from the campus principal, follows the campus procedures to verify such a visit, and makes up any work missed.
• A junior or senior year of high school and misses school for the purpose of visiting a professional at the professional’s workplace for the purpose of career investigation to determine the student’s interest in pursuing a career in the professional’s field.

For a complete list and details about each exemption, please read pp. 6-11 of the WISD Attendance Procedures Manual. 

Note: Documentation must be turned in to the campus attendance office within the timeline established by the school.

Students must submit verification of their absence, such as:

• A signed note or form from a college or university.
   
• A letter from an employer or professional for career investigation visits.
   
• A form or letter from the military recruiter.
   
• A signed note from the DPS or proof of appointment for driver’s license visits.
   
• Documentation showing service as an election clerk.
   

If documentation is not submitted, the absence may be unexcused.

A student must attend at least 90% of the days a class is offered to receive credit or a final grade.

• All absences — excused or unexcused — count toward this total unless otherwise stated by law.

If attendance falls below 90% but stays at or above 75%, your child may still earn credit or a final grade by completing a plan approved by the principal.

If attendance drops below 75%, the parent or student must submit a written petition to the attendance committee to request that credit or a final grade be awarded.

Yes. The school will provide written notice to both the student and the parent or guardian:

• When it officially drops below 90%
   

This notice will explain the next steps for regaining credit or appealing a decision.

For personal illness, the principal or attendance committee may require a doctor’s note or other medical documentation. Providing proper verification helps determine whether the absence qualifies as an extenuating circumstance.

Yes. The District may withdraw a student under the age of 19 if:

• The student has been absent for 10 consecutive school days, and

• The school has made repeated attempts to contact the family without success.

For students 19 or older, additional rules apply under FEA(LEGAL)

Homeschooled students are exempt from compulsory attendance laws, similar to students enrolled in private schools.

When withdrawing a student for homeschooling, parents must provide:

• A withdrawal form stating the date homeschooling began, or

• A signed and dated letter from the parent/guardian stating that the child is being homeschooled and the date homeschooling started.

The District may request a letter of assurance that the curriculum includes:

• Reading

• Spelling

• Grammar

• Mathematics

• Good citizenship

Yes. All absences, including excused absences, count toward the 90% attendance requirement, unless specifically excluded by state law.
This is why it’s important to minimize absences whenever possible and submit documentation promptly.

An excused absence is a day a student misses school for a valid reason recognized by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook (SAAH). Examples include:

• Personal illness or injury
   
• Family emergencies
   
• Medical appointments
   
• Observance of a religious holy day
   
• Participation in certain school-approved activities
   

An unexcused absence occurs when a student misses school for reasons not recognized by SAAH or the school district, such as skipping class, vacation, or personal errands.

Truancy is a legal term that usually applies when a student has unexcused absences, especially if the student misses 10 or more days or parts of days in a six-month period without valid reasons. Truancy may require interventions by the school or local authorities.

Yes, attendance is an important factor in student transfers. While each campus or school district may have its own policies, chronic or excessive absences can be considered during the transfer process. Schools review attendance records to ensure students are likely to succeed in the new environment. It is recommended to maintain consistent attendance and provide any necessary documentation explaining past absences when requesting a transfer.

Yes, generally a student is considered present for the day if they attend school for any portion of the day and provide valid documentation, such as a doctor's note or physician's excuse, for the time they were absent for the appointment. 

While a partial-day absence with a doctor's note may count the student as "present" for the purpose of the state's compulsory attendance law (truancy), the time missed may still count against the student's attendance hours for earning course credit under the 90% Rule.

High School Credit Note: If a student falls below 90% attendance for a class, they may be required to complete an Attendance Recovery Plan, even with a passing grade, to receive credit.

• Schedule family trips and medical appointments outside of school hours when possible.
   
• Stay informed by checking attendance regularly through the parent portal.
   
• Communicate with teachers and administrators early if attendance issues arise.
   

Submit required documentation (like doctor’s notes) immediately after an absence.