For attendance questions, concerns, or notes please send an email to
gorzycki@austinisd.org
Every Day Counts
The Austin Independent School District is working hard toward becoming the best district in Texas. We are proud of the giant steps we are taking toward improving student achievement. Nevertheless, our work is not done and we need your help. Improving student attendance is a top priority for the district. It is our goal to work with students, families, and the community to ensure regular school attendance and improve academic achievement.
What happens when a student misses one day of school, for any reason?
- A school loses funding from the State. This could affect the ability to purchase supplies for the classroom, such as textbooks and updated computer software. Multiply this by 500 students, and it could mean the difference between hiring or laying off staff, buying new equipment, or funding a new program.
- A student must work twice as hard for the next day to catch up on missed information and missed homework. The U.S. Department of Education maintains that for every missed day of school, it takes a student two days to catch up.
- A teacher loses class time by having to teach one student something the entire class was taught the day before, which then affects lesson plans for the next day. This impacts the entire class, not just the absent student. Now multiply this by a class of 25 over the course of a year and it impacts even the highest achievers.
Parents: No matter how old your children are, families play an important role in making sure their students are in school on time and every day.
Community members: We know you want the very best education for the children of Austin, and we do too. After all, a well-educated community is good for business too. By understanding that Every Day Counts, together we can give our children the very best education and future.
You can help to get our students to school on time, every day by encouraging regular school attendance among your employees, those who are parents and those who are students.
When is an absence excused?
- Medical: The student has a personal illness, doctor’s appointment, or an appointment with a health care professional, and provides a note.
- Religious Holy Day: The student is observing a religious holy day.
- Court Appearance: The student is involved in court proceedings or is participating in an activity related to those court proceedings.
- College Campus Visit: A high school junior or senior may visit a college campus two days each year of those years.
- Citizenship Activities: The student is engaged in the process to secure his/her own U.S. Citizenship or participation in his/her own naturalization ceremony; serves as an election clerk, or participates in a military funeral by playing Taps.
- Military Dependent: Student has a parent or legal guardian who is an active duty military member who has been called for deployment, is on leave from, or immediately returned from a combat zone or combat support posting.
- Pre-Approved Reason: A student may be excused for a temporary absence with prior approval of the child’s principal. This includes (but not limited to) field trips, mentorship for Distinguished Achievement Program, Class offered by TSBVI, Department of Family and Protective Services Appointment.
- Dual Credit/Full-Time TxVSN: The student is attending an off campus dual credit course or is participating in a Texas Virtual School Network program full-time.
Compulsory Attendance & 90% Rule
The State of Texas requires that all students at least 6 years of age and not yet 19 attend school until they obtain a diploma. It is important that students attend school each day. There is a very strong connection between student attendance and academic performance in school. Therefore, when students miss class, they miss out on learning.
We do recognize, however, that perfect attendance is not always possible. We do not want students who are sick in class. If your child is absent from all or part of a school day, the student – upon arrival or return to school – must bring a note signed by the parent or health care professional that describes the reason for the absence. All notes should be provided within two days of returning to school. The campus will update attendance records based on the provided documentation.
Thank you for your support and commitment to AISD's students.