Report A Student Absence Here

*ALL ABSENCES MUST BE REPORTED

Texas Education Code, Section 25.092 states that a student may not be given credit for a class unless the student is in attendance for at least 90% of the days the class is offered. 

Documentation Required for Absences:

• All absences must be reported before 10:00 a.m.

• Any student's absence of more than 3 consecutive days must be accompanied by a doctor's note.

• When a student is absent from class for a medical or legal appointment, the absences will be excused when the school is provided with documentation from the medical or legal provider.

• A student whose absence is excused for an appointment with a healthcare professional shall not be penalized for the absence if the student commences classes or returns to school on the same day of the appointment and brings a note from the healthcare professional verifying the appointment. They MUST be in school for at least one full period. A consultation over the phone or via video (telemedicine) is considered an appointment with a healthcare professional. An appointment with a school nurse is not considered a meeting with a healthcare professional for school funding purposes. (per Texas Education Agency Student Attendance Policy).

• *If the nurse sends the student home sick for the day, the absence will be excused. (if the student is absent the following day please report above.)

• If a student is absent for the entire school day due to a doctor's appointment, the absence will be excused with documentation from the appointment but does not count as a medical absence (they must be on campus for at least 1 class period for the absence to be coded medical).

• Compulsory Attendance:
  All students enrolled in public schools in Texas are required by state law to be in attendance at least 90% of the total school days in each semester to receive credit for the classes in which they are enrolled. Failure to attend at least 90% of the school days may result in loss of credit and cause a student to have to repeat some or all of the courses for that semester/year.

• If a student is 10 minutes late for class, the student is considered absent. If the student reports to class within the first 10 minutes of class, they are considered tardy. 
  Excused Absences:
  State law and school guidelines governing attendance require that excused absences pertain to illnesses, medical or legal appointments, funerals of immediate family members, college days and school-sponsored trips. Leaving town for vacation is not an excused absence. 

State Law Regarding Attendance and Truancy in Texas Public Schools

Excused Absences: 

• Documented health care appointment if student attends part of school day

• Documented US Citizenship proceedings 

• Religious holy days- written documentation by parent/guardian

• Required court appearances- appropriate documentation provided

• Higher education visits (2 per year for only Juniors and Seniors)- must provide appropriate documentation

• Court ordered/DFPS required activity- appropriate documentation provided

• Student learner’s/driver’s license appt. (max 1 each at PHS only)- appropriate documentation provided

• Serious or life-threatening illness (must meet specific state requirements)

• Serving as an election clerk (must meet specific state requirements)- appropriate documentation provided

• Military dependent child visiting parent before, during after deployment (must meet specific state requirements)

• Participation in UIL school sponsored events- documentation provided by coach/sponsor

• Participation in Stock shows with note from Extension agent

• 17 year old trying to enlist in Military (must meet state requirements)- appropriate documentation provided

• Playing TAPS at Texas Military Funeral (6th – 12th graders)- appropriate documentation provided

Excused Absences that may affect credit:

• Parent Note (5 days per school year)

• Documented health care appointment but the student did not attend school the same day

The following absences will not be considered excused absences. 

Unexcused Absences: 

• Parent Note (6th day +)

• Any other undocumented absence

Ponder High School Tardy Policy

Tardies are accumulated on a nine-week basis and tracked through Ascender. 

Consequences of tardiness are as follows: 

• 2 warnings per quarter 

• 3rd tardy- Zero Hour

• 4th- 2 Zero Hours

• 5th- Saturday School

• 6th- Administrator’s Discretion 

VOE - Verification Of Enrollment INFORMATION 

Texas Education Code, Section 25.092 states that a student may not be given credit for a class unless the student is in attendance for at least 90% of the days the class is offered. The 90% attendance rule applies when determining VOE eligibility. If needing a VOE form please see Mrs. Garcia in the office.  

*All Verifications issued during the regular school year will EXPIRE IN 30 DAYS. However, Verifications issued during the last five days of school are VALID ALL SUMMER LONG.

Exemption Rules 

The criteria to be eligible for exam exemptions for the 2nd and 4th quarter are as follows:

• Per Semester

  • 3 or fewer absences with at least a 90 average 

  • 2 or fewer absences with at least an 80 average

  • This is per semester and per individual class, meaning you might be exempt in one class but not another class

• Absences that do not count against exemption with the proper documentation

  • Medical (The student must be present at least one period and turn in a note from the appointment)

  • Court appearance

  • Extra Curricular

  • College visit (The student must be a junior or senior and turn in a note from the college)

  • Military Absence