Family and Community Engagement (F.a.C.E) and School Policies » Truancy Policy

Truancy Policy

NOTICE TO PARENTS

2022-2023 School Year

Truancy Enforcement Requirements
 
Senate Bill 143, which took effect on September 1, 2001, requires school district staff to notify parents and students about the new truancy enforcement requirements and court jurisdictional penalties.The compulsory school attendance requirements have broadened and defined responsibilities and authority.A student in violation of specific provisions governing unexcused absences may be referred to juvenile court or the district may file a complaint against a student in justice or municipal court without a jurisdiction waiver from the juvenile court.
 
Parent Offense:
 
A parent commits an offense of contribution to truancy if a school district notifies the parent as required by law, the parent with criminal negligence fails to require the child to attend school as required by law, and the child has the requisite number of absences.The attendance officer or other suitable school official must file a complaint in an appropriate court against the parent who commits an offense.
 
Student Offense:
 
A student required to attend school who fails to attend on 10 or more full or partial days within a six-month period in the same school year or on three or more full or partial days within a four-week period commits an offense, regardless of parental consent.An individual committing such an offense may be prosecuted.A peace officer has the authority to take an individual into custody according to a court order based on an affidavit showing probable cause of an offense.
 
MCISD Responsibilities:
 
1.Mission staff will notify a student's parent if the student has three or more full- or partial-day absences within a four-week period without excuse in certain circumstances.The notification will contain specific information including parental responsibilities regarding student attendance and possible ramifications of failing to meet those obligations.
 
2.By law, the Mission CISD school staff must file in an appropriate court a complaint or referral against either the student or the student's parent or both if the student fails to attend school without excuse on 10 or more full or partial days within a six-month period during the same school year.
 
3.Mission CISD school staff has discretionary authority to file in an appropriate court a complaint or referral against either the student or the student's parent or both if the student fails to attend school without excuse on three or more full or partial days within a four-week period of time.