Attendance Hours Owed

Any student who does not attend 90% of the days a class is offered (excused or unexcused) will be required to make-up attendance hours (Texas Education Code Section 25.092). Students and/or parents will be notified of the hours a student owes and a plan can be developed with the administration on acceptable ways the student may make-up the hours owed.

Frequently asked questions:

At what point do students owe hours?

• Hours are calculated by class period, by semester. 

• To stay in compliance with required TEA Compulsory Attendance Laws, a student cannot miss a class period more than four times in a semester. On the fifth absence, and every absence after for that period, they will accrue 1.5 hours owed per absence. 

  • For example, if your student misses fourth period nine times, they will owe 7.5 hours for that class credit. 

I turned in a note, why do I owe hours?

• Turning in notes helps prevent the Truancy Process but does not excuse hours, in most cases. There are limited scenarios that the State approves as an exemption to accruing hours. 

• Absences exempt from the 90% hours rule with proper documentation:

  • Required Court Appearances

  • Activities related to obtaining United States citizenship or taking part in a United States naturalization oath ceremony (for the student)

  • Juniors & Seniors ONLY: College Visits (two days per school year)

  • Pursuing enlistment in a branch of the United States Armed Forces (17 years or older) 

  • Visit with a parent or guardian called to duty

  • Visiting a driver's license office to obtain a driver's license or driver's permit (Enrolled in high school, 15 years or older, 1 day allowed per school year for permit, 1 day allowed per school year for license)

• Reminder that notes are due to the attendance clerk within 48-hours of returning to school.

Where can students check if they owe hours?

• Hours sheets are updated twice a month and are posted at three locations on campus: outside front office, outside the 1100's office under the Lion mural, and outside the back office on the bulletin board across from the sliding doors. 

How do students make up hours?

• At least half of the hours owed must be made up with LISD. 

• Students frequently make up hours by:

  • Attending tutorials with a teacher before/after school

  • Attending Saturday School

  • Volunteering at a certified non-profit organization 

How do students document hours made up?

• Copies of hours sheets can be found in any office or can be printed here. 

• Completed hours sheets can be turned in to Ms. Jacoby in the 1400's Office. There is a tray at the window to drop off hours sheets.

I have an extenuating circumstance, is there any consideration?

• We know some things in life are not planned (i.e. major surgery, extended medical facility stay, etc.). We do have an Attendance Appeal process which allows a student to explain their circumstance and request an appeal of hours. Please talk with your Assistant Principal about this process.

  • The Attendance Appeal Committee has three options when reviewing appeal requests:

    • Waive all hours due to circumstance.

    • Waive partial hours due to circumstance.

    • No hours waived, must make up hours.

  • You will be followed up with the outcome of the appeal request after the committee meets. The committee meetings are listed on the appeal form and you should receive an update within a week of that date.