Daily attendance in school is a strong indicator of future success. In Spring ISD, we place the academic needs of our student scholars first. Students earn course credits by meeting the course requirements AND attending classes 90% of the time the class is offered, per the Texas Education Agency. If not, our Spring ISD student scholars will not earn course credit nor be promoted to the next grade level. Attendance is a major component of our Spring ISD budget!

Per the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook provided by Texas Education Agency, a student is either present or absent at the official attendance-taking (OAT) time, known as SNAPSHOT. Each campus attendance is determined by the number of students present at this very important designated snapshot time. All Spring ISD student scholars should be on time daily and accounted for to ensure academic success. We want all of our students to maximize their classroom experiences. Students who do not meet the 90% mandate may be in jeopardy of being denied course credit or not being promoted to the next grade level. Each campus has a designated Campus Attendance Committee who meet regularly to determine and review students who are not complying with the 90% attendance mandate.

In Spring ISD, there are official times for attendance-taking each day:

• High school is at 9:20 a.m.

• Elementary school is at 9:30 a.m.

• Middle school is at 10:30 a.m.

Parents and guardians should contact their child’s attendance office if they have any questions. Unexcused absences can increase chances of truancy-based infractions.

Improving attendance is an essential strategy for ensuring our students are on-track to learn and succeed. In Spring ISD, we are committed to helping students and families understand that going to school every day and avoiding absences whenever possible is critical to achievement.

Here’s what the research shows:

• Attendance matters as early as kindergarten. Studies show that children who miss too many days in kindergarten and first grade have trouble learning to read.

• A child with too many absences by grade 6 is a good indication that the student is at risk of dropping out.

• By grade 9, good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than eighth-grade test scores.

• Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students graduate from high school, college and keep a job.

Spring ISD policy, in alignment with state compulsory attendance laws, requires students to be in attendance for at least 90 percent of the time a class is in session to receive credit. Of course, the district aims for 100 percent attendance, and wants all students in class because EVERYday Counts, Attendance Matters !

• Make school attendance a priority

• Talk about the importance of showing up to school everyday, make that the expectation.

• Help your child maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.

• Try not to schedule dental and medical appointments during the school day.

• Don’t let your child stay home unless truly sick. Complaints of headaches or stomach aches may be signs of anxiety.

• Find out if your child feels engaged by his classes and feels safe from bullies and other threats. Make sure he/she is not missing class because of behavioral issues and school discipline policies. If any of these are problems, work with your school.

• Stay on top of academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors if necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you.

• Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.

• Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, including sports and clubs.

• Know the school’s attendance policy – incentives and penalties.

• Talk to teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school.

• Check on your child’s attendance to be sure they aren’t skipping school without your knowledge.

• Ask for help from school officials, afterschool programs, other parents or other community agencies if you’re having trouble getting your child to student.

Source: attendanceworks.org

Dr. Julie Joubert Guillory
Assistant Superintendent for Non-Instructional Data Quality
281-891-6307
Email Julie Joubert Guillory

Becky Domingue
Director for Data Management & Compliance
281-891-6119
Email Becky Domingue

Anitra Bridges
State Reporting Analyst
281-891-6116
Email Anitra Bridges

Sara Ditson
Data Coordinator
281-891-6344
Email Sara Ditson

Jennifer Hofferek
Data Coordinator
281-891-6316
Email Jennifer Hofferek

Griselda Resendez
PEIMS Analyst
281-891-6117
Email Griselda Resendez

Sherry Austin
Student Data Specialist
281-891-6115
Email Sherry Austin

Michaela Roberson
Executive Secretary
281-891-6317
Email Michaela Roberson

Spring ISD Board Policy

• FEA — Attendance: Compulsory Attendance

• FEB — Attendance: Attendance Accounting

• FEC — Attendance: Attendance for Credit

• FED — Attendance: Attendance Enforcement

• Student Attendance Accounting Handbook from the State of Texas

• 19 Funded Absent Reasons per the State of Texas

Attendance Works Website

• Everyday Counts flyer - English

• Cada Día Cuenta folleto - español