Skip To Main Content

Attendance and Absences

Consistent school attendance plays a critical role in helping students build the academic and social foundations they need to succeed. Missing class time can significantly interfere with a student's ability to master the material required to move forward to the next grade level. Students who are chronically absent, defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, face a much lower likelihood of reading at grade level by third grade, performing well in middle school, and graduating on time.

Beyond falling behind academically, students who miss school also miss out on chances to build social connections and develop important skills like problem-solving and self-regulation, abilities that are essential for continued growth and learning.

When students attend school consistently, they're able to move forward academically, build meaningful social connections, and explore what interests and motivates them. Both students and families should work together to minimize absences whenever possible.

Attendance requirements for students are governed by state law, the Texas Education Code, and policies set by the CISD Board, which include:

A student may be marked absent for missing any portion of the school day, whether that's the entire day, arriving late, or leaving early.

According to Texas law, students must attend at least 90% of the time a class meets. Falling below that threshold — no matter the reason behind the absences — results in loss of course credit. To regain credit and avoid being held back, students must complete a plan developed by the campus principal or attendance committee.

Frequently Asked Questions