- Houston Independent School District
- Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Data Quality - FAQ
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Can a five year old child be assigned to first grade?
Yes. A student who is five years of age on or before September 1st of the current school year is automatically eligible for the first grade for the full school term (ADA eligibility code 1) if the student has completed public school kindergarten or has been enrolled in the first grade in a public school in another state prior to transferring to a Texas public school. [TEC §42.003, (c)] The term “enrolled” means actually receiving instruction by attendance in a public school rather than just being registered prior to receiving instruction.Please click the hyperlink above for more detailed information on guidelines and exceptions.
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Can a Prekindergarten (PK) student be withdrawn if the student is not potty trained?
No, they may not be excluded from PreK eligibility.Please click on the hyperlink above for more detailed information. Visit the Texas Education Agency website for more details, http://tea.texas.gov/Academics/Early_Childhood_Education/Pre_K_Eligibility_and_Attendance/.
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How do I get access to TEASE? TREx?
If you need access to TEASE, please complete the TEASE Request for Access Form. If you need access to TREx access, please complete the TREx Application Approval Verification Form and follow instructions on the application. If you have questions about TREx or access, please contact Cynthia Nemons, Manager of Counseling and Student Support, at 713-556-6744.
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How do I prepare for a discipline records review?
Preparing for a discipline records review is not a complex task when you use the resources provided by Federal and State Compliance.
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If a child won’t be 5-years-old until right after September 1, but is very smart and mature. Can they go to kindergarten instead of prekindergarten so they don’t have to wait another year?
TEA and Texas public schools are governed by the Texas Education Code (TEC). A child must be at least five years of age on September 1 of the school year.
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If my child is eligible for special education programs due to having a disability, are they automatically eligible for prekindergarten as well?
No. A child with a disability is only eligible for prekindergarten if he or she meets the criteria for prekindergarten set forth by the Texas Education Code TEC §29.153(b).
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Is kindergarten mandatory?
No. Children who are five years of age on or before September 1 are not required to enroll in kindergarten. However, upon enrollment in kindergarten, a child shall attend school.
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May eligible students be excluded from eligibility if they are not potty trained or have frequent bathroom accidents?
Potty training and PK eligibility
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Tardies – Are They Absences?
Students must be present at least 35 minutes of the class period (or 60 minutes of a 90-minute class period) in order to be considered in attendance unless they are participating on a field trip or other activity approved by the principal.Unexcused tardies are not converted to unexcused absences. Tardies are a disciplinary issue.
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What can be used for proof of a student's identity and age?
The documents considered acceptable for proof of identification and age are:1. Birth Certificate; 2. Passport; 3. School ID card, records, or report card; 4. Military ID; 5. Hospital birth record; 6. Adoption records; 7. Church baptismal record; or 8. Any other legal document that establishes identity.
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What is the definition of “instructional day"?
"Instructional day" is that portion of the school day in which instruction takes place. This does not include lunch, recess, rest time, etc.
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What is the distinction between Prekindergarten (PK), Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD), and Early Education (EE)?
PreK, Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD), and Early Education (EE)can be often confused with one another click on the hyperlink above for detailed discriptions of each.