What is the 90% rule in Texas?

What Does The 90% Rule Mean For Your Child? In addition to Texas compulsory attendance laws, districts are required to enforce the 90% rule which states that students in grades Kindergarten through 12^th must attend a class for 90% of the time it is offered to receive credit or a final grade.

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

This rule applies even if your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan. The average school year is 180 days. So, your child can only miss 18 days of school or 18 days of a specific class (or 9 days if they're on a semester schedule) before the 90% rule affects their class credit.

Is it illegal to take your child out of school for vacation in Texas?

According to Sec. 25.087 of the Texas Education Code, a person required to attend school may be excused for temporary absence resulting from any cause acceptable to the teacher, principal, or superintendent of the school in which the person is enrolled. Essentially, excused absences are a local determination.

Can a parent go to jail for truancy in Texas 2023?

Truancy courts may order the parents of truant students to do certain things like participate in counseling, take special classes, or perform community service. If parents disobey those orders, they could be charged with contempt and face fines, up to three days in jail, and/or community service.

How many absences before truancy in Texas?

State Law Regarding Truancy

If a student is absent from school without an acceptable excuse (listed above) for 10 or more days, or parts of days, within a 6 month period, the parent may be subject to prosecution and the student may be referred to truancy court.

What is the 90% attendance rule in Texas?

Can parents get in trouble for truancy 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.

What happens if a child misses too many days of school in Texas?

School districts are required to notify parents of attendance requirements at the beginning of the school year. This notice must state that the parent may be subject to prosecution and the student may be referred to truancy court if the student is absent 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period.

How much is truancy fine in Texas?

Judicial Process Truant students could be referred to court for the criminal offense of Failure to Attend School (FTAS). FTAS is a Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $500 per offense. Truancy is a civil offense called truant conduct.

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

What's going to happen when you go to court? If this is your first time going to court for truancy, you may be placed in a diversion program and have to complete some community service, pay a fine and attend a class or counseling. Chronic truancy may result in having to repeat a grade.

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.

At what age can a child refuse to see a parent in Texas?

This is a common misconception. A child under 18 does not have a legal right to refuse visitation. However, children aged 12 and older can express their wishes to the judge. The judge can then consider the child's preference but isn't obligated to follow it.

Can a 13 year old decide which parent to live with in Texas?

The Answer: 12 Years Old & Over

So, when can a child choose which parent to live with in Texas? The law allows the judge to interview a child that is 12 years of age or older concerning custody.

What happens if you run away from home at 14 in Texas?

It is against the law in Texas for a child to run away from home. It is considered a status offense, not a criminal offense, meaning it would not be an offense if committed by an adult. The Juvenile Delinquency and Prevention Act protects status offenders from being placed in “secured facilities” like a jail.

How many absences is too much in Texas?

After too many unexcused absences, the school must notify the parent. A compulsory attendance notification will be sent to the parent if a student has unexcused absences on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period or three days or parts of days without an excuse during a four-week period.

What is considered an excused absence from school in Texas?

Absences that are considered EXCUSED (with a parent or doctor's note) under Texas State Law: When the student is absent, the parent must provide a note that explains the reason for the absence within 3 school days after the student returns to school. Absence notes must include: Student's full legal name.

What does SSA mean in school attendance?

The Safe Schools Act or SSA Date field will display in the upper left corner. This field should be filled with the date of a student's most recent infraction of the Safe Schools Act.

Can a principal question a child without a parent in Texas?

A: Generally, school administrators can question students at school without a parent or guardian being present, whether they ask for a parent or lawyer or not. Some school districts have policies to the contrary.

What is educational neglect in Texas?

Educational Neglect is defined as failure

to send child to school/prevent child from getting education (Mennen et al. 2010).

How do I withdraw my child from public school in Texas?

How does truancy court work in Texas?

Truancy court sets a date and time for an adjudication hearing. child's guardian ad litem, if any; and (4) any other proper or necessary party. The truancy court may endorse on the summons an order directing the person having physical custody or control of the child to bring the child to the hearing.

What time do Texas schools take attendance?

Student attendance is taken daily at 9:50 a.m. Students must be at school in order to be counted present. citation, including a fine, applicable to the parents of the student. excuse must be received by the school within three (3) school days after the absence.

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 happens if you miss 10 days of school in Texas?

A student who has been unlawfully absent for ten or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year is considered to be habitually truant. The student's parent or guardian could be fined and may be required to attend a truancy prevention conference or complete a truancy prevention program.

How do you excuse an absence from school?

What happens if you get kicked out of a school?

What is expulsion? Expulsion is one type of discipline a school can use against a student who breaks the rules. A student who is expelled may not attend their school or any school in the district for up to 12 months. Usually, students are only expelled for very serious offenses or for repeat offenses.