What are the truancy laws in Texas?

Children are required to attend school regularly from ages 6-18 in the State of Texas. Parents can receive a citation for Contributing to Non-attendance. If convicted, parents can be ordered to pay a fine of up to $500 for each of their child's unexcused absences.

Can a parent go to jail for truancy in Texas?

Penalties for Parents of Truant Students

If parents disobey those orders, they could be charged with contempt and face fines, up to three days in jail, and/or community service. Parents could also face misdemeanor charges if they were criminally negligent by not forcing their kids to go to school. (Tex. Educ.

How many absences are allowed in a school year 2023 in Texas?

Texas School Law states that students must be in attendance at least 90% of the time to receive credit for a course. Students may not miss more than eight (8) absences in the Fall and ten (10) absences in the Spring or 18 days for a year-long course.

What happens if a child misses too much school in Texas?

(a) If a student fails to attend school without excuse on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year, a school district shall within 10 school days of the student's 10th absencerefer the student to a truancy court for truant conduct under Section 65.003(a), Family Code.

Is truancy no longer a crime in Texas?

Although truancy isn't a crime, this civil court may order the truants to take “remedial” steps, including: attending school regularly.

Texas' Truancy Law: Overview

What is the 90% attendance and truancy rule in Texas?

To receive credit for class, a student is required to attend school for at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered Section 25.092, TEC. Students with excessive absences may restore credit as provided by local policy.

When did Texas decriminalize truancy?

HB 2398 went into effect on Sept. 1, 2015. Texas Education Agency recently released data of statewide attendance for 2015-16, the first school year in which truancy was decriminalized.

How many absences equal truancy in Texas?

If convicted, parents can be ordered to pay a fine of up to $500 for each of their child's unexcused absences. If a student has three or more unexcused absences, days or parts of days within a four week period or ten or more days or parts of days within a six month period, they are considered truant.

What is the maximum amount of days you can miss school in Texas?

In Texas, truancy is defined as having more than 10 unexcused absences in a school year. If you are referred to truancy court, you will receive a notice to appear in court.

What is a truancy warning letter in Texas?

If you receive a letter from your student's school is it because he/she has three or more unexcused absences in a four week period of time. This letter is a reminder of Texas State Law and a warning that truancy charges will be filed once ten unexcused absences are attained.

What is the 90 rule in Texas schools?

The 90% rule is a provision in the Texas Education Code (TEC) that applies to a student in any grade level from kindergarten through grade 12. TEC Section 25.092 provides that a student may not be given credit or a final grade for a class unless the student is in attendance 90% of the days the class is offered.

How much money does a school lose when a student is absent in Texas?

If a student missed, for instance, nine days over the school year, the district would lose about $300. That can add up. According to Texas Education Agency records, Dallas ISD's projected average daily attendance for 2023 is 133,983, but its projected total student count is about 136,821.406, a difference of 2,838.

Is calling in sick an unexcused absence?

Sick or medical leave is another type of excused absence. Oftentimes, to have sick time excused, you need to have a doctor's note as proof that you visited a healthcare professional and possibly that you are also cleared to return to work.

What happens the first time you go to court for truancy in Texas?

1. Warning: The student and parents or guardians may receive a formal warning from the judge about the importance of school attendance. 2. Counseling or Services: The court may require the student and their family to attend counseling sessions, workshops, or other programs aimed at addressing the reasons for truancy.

Is truancy a misdemeanor in Texas?

The new law also won't target kids, but instead will charge their parents with misdemeanor offenses. What's more, fines will start at $100 and graduate to $500 for repeated offenses.

Can you dropout at 15 in Texas?

Texas doesn't allow this until you're 18-19, unless you're getting a GED or are in job Corps. I can't do either.

What is considered an unexcused absence from school in Texas?

The specific reasoning for the absence is needed to appropriately code the absence according to guidelines established in the Texas Education Code. If no documentation is provided, the absence is considered unexcused.

Can a public school refuse to enroll a student in Texas?

A decision of a school district to deny admission may be appealed to the commissioner of education under §7.057(c). In an appeal under that section, the commissioner will review the record developed at the district level to determine if the decision is supported by substantial evidence.

What does unexcused mean?

(ˌʌnɪkˈskjuːzd ) adjective. not excused; not having an excuse. unexcused absences.

What is parent contributing to nonattendance in Texas?

Section 25.093 - [Effective 1/1/2025] Parent Contributing to Nonattendance (a) If a warning is issued as required by Section 25.095(a), the parent with criminal negligence fails to require the child to attend school as required by law, and the child has absences for the amount of time specified under Section 65.003(a), ...

What is excessive tardiness at school?

When a child is tardy, it prevents him/her from the benefits of an important part of a school day when the day's work is outlined. "Excessive tardiness" is when a child is late in excess of 30 minutes. "Habitual tardiness," frequently tardy 5 to 10 minutes, is equally detrimental.

What is the 90% rule for Allen ISD?

In order for a student to receive credit for a class, he/she by law must attend at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered.

How many days is a school year in Texas?

Campus academic calendar(s) include at least 180 instructional days with 75,600 operational minutes, not including staff development waivers. Add up to 30 additional days of instruction in addition to the 180 instructional days in its regular academic calendar.

Where can I find the Texas Education Code?

The Texas Education Code is part of the Texas statutes and can be found online. The link below will take you to Texas Constitution and Statutes Online. The drop down menu for "Code" will allow you to select "Education Code," followed by the various titles, chapters, and sections.

How many absences are allowed in Cfisd?

Three or more unexcused absences may result in court action.