Resources & FAQ
Did You Know
Understanding how attendance works helps families stay ahead — and keeps students on track.
Perfect attendance means a student arrives to school on time, is not late to any classes and remains at school the entire day.
Every period missed equates to an absence. For example… If a student with five class periods misses one day of school, it is recorded as five absences.
Missing 10 days (full or part) in six months triggers a truancy notice.
Knowing these rules means fewer surprises — and more chances to advocate for your child.
Check your school’s handbook for details, monitor tardies closely, and ask for help early if challenges make it hard to attend.
Common Questions, Clear Answers.
FAQS:
Q: What is chronic absenteeism?
A: Missing 10% or more of school days in a year — about 18 days or more.
Q: Why is my child being labeled chronically absent, when I have provided excuse notes from medical professionals?
A: Chronic absenteeism counts excused and unexcused absences the same because students are missing seat time, that has to be made up.
Q: How can I avoid my student being labeled chronically absent?
A: Try to schedule all appointments during school breaks and student holidays, so students don’t miss school. Avoid checking your student out of school when possible. Only keep your child home when ill, or observing a recognized religious holiday.
Q: Why does my middle/high school student have multiple absences after missing one day of school?
A: Each period counts as one absence.
Q: What happens if my child misses 10 days?
A: You may receive a truancy notice from truancy court. You may also receive information from the school to explain the process for your child to makeup the work they missed.
Q: Who can help me at school?
A: Start with your school counselor to learn who you need to contact.
Q: How can my child earn attendance rewards?
A: Students who attend daily can receive monthly recognition, end of semester celebrations and end of year awards.
Educator Resources
We have a H.I.T. out on chronic absenteeism…and we need your support!
Home Visits allow educators to build strong school-family relationships and provide support and resources to ensure student success. For Oak Cliff collaborates with a national training partner, to provide the blueprint to executing safe and engaging interactions inside familial dwellings. Check out the Home Visits Partnership here. https://homevisitpartnerships.org/about/
Initiatives create a school culture that excites students about attendance efforts. Creating sustainable experiences and activities such as: jean days, free dress, extra recess, etc…are some of the ways schools can celebrate students who have demonstrated strong or improved attendance efforts. Let For Oak Cliff serve as a thought partner in activating community businesses to support school programs.
Training is the gateway to designing the perfect chronic absenteeism model that meets your campuses needs. For Oak Cliff crafts a tailored professional development experience that provides educators with a solid toolkit to combat chronic absenteeism.
If you want to use the H.I.T. model to disrupt chronic absenteeism in your school community, contact Shareefah Mason, Director of Cradle to Career Education, to learn more.
Parent Resources
Texas Appleseed provides free resources to parents who are navigating the challenges of truancy. They work with parents to ensure they understand their rights and the rights of their children. The organization supports parents to confidently advocate for their children, during the court process. Texas Appleseed also provides tips and strategies that help parents avoid future truancy issues in hopes of reducing truancy recidivism rates, across the state.