Attendance and Truancy Information

Beginning of School Year Attendance Notice to Parents/Guardians 

OFFICIAL NOTICE TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH
THE TEXAS COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE LAW

The academic success of every student enrolled in Beaumont ISD is important. Daily school attendance and arrival on time are critical to this success. By attending school each day, students receive the benefit of teacher-led instruction, peer discussion, building each day’s learning on the previous day’s instruction, participating in a variety of school activities and the opportunity to grow as individuals. 

 

WHO MUST ATTEND SCHOOL

The state of Texas requires that a child who is at least six (6) year of age, or who is younger than six years of age and has previously been enrolled in first grade, and who has not yet reached the child’s 19th birthday shall attend school, as well as any applicable accelerated instruction program, extended year program, or district-required tutorial session, unless the student is otherwise excused from attendance or legally exempt. Once enrolled in prekindergarten or kindergarten, even if under the age of six, the student is required to attend and is subject to all compulsory attendance laws. A student who attends or enrolls after his or her 19th birthday is also required to attend each school day for the entire period instruction is offered until the end of the of the school year. If a student 19 or older has more than five verified unexcused absences in a semester, BISD may enact proceedings to revoke the student’s enrollment for the remainder of the school year as permitted by state law. If enrollment is revoked, the student’s presence on school property is thereafter unauthorized and may be considered trespassing.

 

PARENT/GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITY RE: SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

We are sure you are aware of how important it is that your child receive a quality education. However you may be unaware that under the laws of the State of Texas it is your duty as the parent/guardian or person with lawful control to monitor your child’s attendance and make sure he/she attends school each and every day, for the full instructional day, which may include before/after school instruction as well required summer instructional programs. Parents are required to make sure the student arrives to school on time, attends each class period and avoid as much as possible early releases/pick-ups from school unless there is an extreme emergency.

If your child is absent, late to school or must be picked up early from school because of extreme emergency, a written parent or doctor's note will be required when the child returns to school. The note must be received within five (5) school days upon the student's return for consideration of the absence(s) to be excused. If the documentation is not received in a timely manner, the absence will be considered UNEXCUSED and it will count towards violation of compulsory school attendance. It is recommended parents/guardians keep a copy of all documentation submitted to the school. 

 

SCHOOL DISTRICT’S RESPONSBILITY RE: VIOLATIONS OF COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE

School employees must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory attendance law. A student absent without permission from school; from any class; from required special programs, such as additional special instruction, termed "accelerated instruction" by the state; or from District required tutorials, including summer programs, will be considered in violation of the compulsory attendance law and subject to disciplinary action. Please do not expect the district to overlook any events that represent an education loss to the student.

Automated phone calls will be placed to parents/guardians notifying them when a student has been marked absent. It is the parent's or guardian's responsibility to ensure that he/she provides current and up to date contact information to the school.

The school district will also provide attendance information on period interim grading reports and report cards to parents to monitor their student's school attendance. Parent's may always access up-to-the minute attendance information via the Parent-Self Serve web portal.

 

LEGAL:
If a student has been absent without excuse on three days or parts of days within a four week period, the school district shall issue a warning notice to inform the parent, (A) of their duty to monitor the student’s school attendance and require the student to attend school (B) the student is subject to truancy prevention measures in addition to other statutory requirements in existence and request a conference between school officials and the parents to discuss the absences. Please be aware, failure to schedule and attend such a conference may serve as evidence of criminal negligence of failure to require attendance.

Further, if your student is absent without excuse on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six month period in the same school year, the district may file a complaint for criminal prosecution against you, the parent/guardian for criminal negligence. This offense may be punishable by fine only with fines ranging from: $100 for the first offense to $500 for fifth or subsequent offenses. (Note: Each day the child remains out of school may constitute a separate offense). Your student, age 12-18, may also be referred to Truancy Court for prosecution under civil actions within 10 school days of the student’s 10th absence if applied truancy prevention measures are not succeeding.

An Attendance Review Committee, as required by law, will meet periodically during the school year to review any excessive absences accumulated by the student and may prescribe additional attendance recovery measures. Parents will be notified and should attend the attendance committee meetings.

 

Click here to access the flowchart to learn more on the school district's responsbilitiy regarding truancy.

Click here to access the commentary to assist in understanding the flowchart process.

 

PARENTS AS EDUCATION PARTNERS

The Beaumont Independent School District is deeply committed to partnering with parents to ensure the success of our students. The BISD administration sincerely hopes that attendance does not become an issue for any student or parent. A wealth of resources, including attendance materials, may be found on the District’s website at www.bmtisd.com to offer support to parents in their roles as education partners. Please do not hesitate to your student’s campus principal or school attendance office for additional assistance. We thank you for your continued support in this partnership.

 

                                                  Effective September 1, 2015 _ Compliance with TEC 25.095

BISD Truancy Management Plan