Attendance/Absences
Regular school attendance is essential for a student to make the most of his or her education—to benefit from teacher-led and school activities, to build each day’s learning on the previous day’s, and to grow as an individual. Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s mastery of the instructional materials; therefore, the student and parent should make every effort to avoid unnecessary absences. Two state laws—one dealing with the required presence of school-aged children in school, e.g., compulsory attendance, the other with how a child’s attendance affects the award of a student’s final grade or course credit—are of special interest to students and parents.
Report an Absence
Student Absence FAQs
- When should I report my child's absence?
- How do I report my child's absence?
- What is considered an "excused" absence?
- Do I need to submit my child's medical note?
- What if my child is absent for 3 or more consecutive days?
When should I report my child's absence?
How do I report my child's absence?
What is considered an "excused" absence?
Do I need to submit my child's medical note?
What if my child is absent for 3 or more consecutive days?
attendance policy
Compulsory attendance
Prekindergarten and Kindergarten
Students enrolled in prekindergarten kindergarten are required to attend school and are subject to the compulsory attendance requirements as long as they remain enrolled.
Ages 6-18
State law requires that a student who is at least six years 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 their 19th birthday, shall attend school, as well as any applicable accelerated instruction program, extended-year program, or tutorial session, unless the student is otherwise excused from attendance or legally exempt.
State law requires a student in kindergarten–grade 2 to attend any assigned accelerated reading instruction program. Parents will be notified in writing if their child is assigned to an accelerated reading instruction program based on a diagnostic reading instrument.
A student will be required to attend any assigned accelerated instruction program before or after school or during the summer if the student does not meet the passing standards on an applicable subject area state assessment.
Age 19 and Older
A student who voluntarily attends or enrolls after his or her 19th birthday is required to attend each school day until the end of the school year. If the student incurs more than five unexcused absences in a semester, the district may revoke the student’s enrollment. The student’s presence on school property thereafter would be unauthorized and may be considered trespassing. [See policy FEA for more information.]
attendance for credit or final grade
To receive credit or a final grade in a class, a student must attend at least 90% of the days the class is offered. These days include both excused and unexcused absences. A student who attends fewer than 90% of the days the class is offered may be referred to the Attendance Review Committee to determine whether the absences were due to extenuating circumstances and how the student may regain credit or earn a final grade.
Tardiness and Late Arrival
Students who arrive late must sign in at the school office. Any student arriving after the official attendance time will be marked absent for average daily attendance purposes.
See the Lone Oak ISD Student Handbook for more on the Attendance Policy.