New Truancy Law

  • Due to the new Truancy Law effective September 1, 2015, the following information is critical to the success of effectively implementing a campus-wide strategy to address daily attendance.

    TEC Sec.25.085. COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE  

    (a) 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

    (b) Unless specifically exempted by Section 25.086., a child who is at least six (6) years of age, or who is younger than six (6) years of age and has previously enrolled in first (1st) grade, and who has not yet reached the child’s 19th birthday shall attend school

    (c) On enrollment in prekindergarten or kindergarten, a child shall attend school

    (d) Unless specifically exempted by Section 25.086., a student enrolled in a school district must attend an extended year program for which the student is eligible that is provided by the district for students identified as likely not to be promoted to the next grade level or tutorial classes required by the district under Section 29.084

    (e) A person who is 19 years old is required to attend each school day for the entire period the program of instruction for which the student is enrolled is offered.  However, if the person has more than five unexcused absences in a semester, the school district may revoke the person’s enrollment for the remainder of the school year.  A person whose enrollment is revoked under subsection may be considered an unauthorized person on a school district grounds for purposes of Sec. 37.107.

    Due to the new Truancy Law effective September 1, 2015, the following information is critical to the success of effectively implementing a campus-wide strategy to address daily attendance.
    • Promoting Great Attendance on Your Campus
    • Truancy Prevention Measures
    • Role of the Parent
    • Campus Administration Role
    • Classroom Teacher Role
    • Campus Attendance Clerk Role
    • 3 Steps for Unexcused Absences - All prevention measures should be documented or attached to the Truancy Prevention and Intervention form.

    The following documents have been created and revised to reflect changes in the new truancy law and support the work of tracking Truancy Prevention Measures/Interventions.  Please contact the Student Assistance Department if you have questions about any of the following forms, https://www.houstonisd.org/Domain/46908. 

    Truancy Prevention and Intervention Form
    Every person working with campus attendance and interventions may access this form to track ongoing truancy prevention measures for students and parents. This form may be downloaded and used to document all interventions. This form may be housed with the Campus Attendance Clerk, SIR, or Administrator over Attendance. This form may also be accessed on Chancery under the Truancy section.

    Student Attendance Contract
    Please attach this form to the Truancy Prevention and Intervention form to support the ongoing work of interventions. This form may also be accessed on Chancery under the Truancy section.

    Please contact the Student Assistance Department for guidance on the above topics. Website: https://www.houstonisd.org/Domain/46908.