Attendance
Attendance Matters Because our Lions Matter
Our mission is to cultivate a school environment where students are excited to learn, educate our community about the importance of attendance, and provide educators and families with the resources they need to support consistent attendance.
Every day a student is in school is an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect. When students are absent, they miss valuable classroom instruction and important experiences that contribute to their success.
That’s why Lockhart ISD is committed to achieving a 96% average daily attendance rate during the 2026–2027 school year.
Together, we can ensure every Lion is present, engaged, and ready to succeed.
Important Attendance Information
90% RULE
Texas Education Code Section 25.092; FEC (Legal) FEC (Local)
(a)Except as provided in this section, a student in any grade level from kindergarten through grade 12 may not be given credit for a final grade for a class unless the student is in attendance for at least 90% of the days the class is offered.
*This is regardless of whether the student’s absences are excused or unexcused.
*Exceptions:
- Students who have a serious life-threatening illness
- Absences related to observance of religious holidays
TEC Section 25.085; Family Code Section 25.093
Definition: When a child who is required to attend school fails to attend school without an excuse on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period.
Exceptions:
- Pregnancy
- Being in state foster care system
- Experiencing homelessness
- Having a severe or life-threatening illness or related treatment
- Being the principal income earner for the student’s family
Types of truancy court filings:
- Parent contributing to non-attendance: Campuses may file a criminal case on a parent or parents for contributing to non-attendance of a minor if the student is enrolled or should be enrolled in school, Pre-K to 12th grade.
- Student truancy: Campuses may file a civil case on the student for truancy if the student is between 12 and 19 years of age and is enrolled or should be enrolled in school.
Campuses may file on both the parent(s) and the student (age 12-19) if they believe both are contributing to the truancy.
Steps before filing:
Campuses must implement at least one of the following Truancy Prevention Measures (TPM) to improve attendance before filing against the student or parent:
- Impose a “behavior management plan” on the student.
- Impose school-based community service on the student
- Refer the student to counseling, mediation, mentoring, teen court program, community-based services or other in-school or out-of-school services aimed at preventing the student’s truancy.
FUNDED ABSENCE REASONS
Lockhart ISD receives approximately $45 per day per student for students either attending school or having a funded reason for being absent. This revenue, called Average Daily Attendance, accounts for most of our operating budget. Last spring, Lockhart ISD lost roughly $1 million due to unfunded absences.
Funded absences are defined by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and are outlined below. Unfunded absences are any other absences not specifically described.
There are often valid reasons for unfunded absences, and parents are strongly encouraged to provide documentation and communicate with the school around any absence. This documentation can be factored into discussions around school district attendance processes including determining grades and course credit, truancy, chronic absenteeism and final exam exemption considerations at the high school level.
For more details, see the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook
Facing challenges with your student's attendance? Click the tabs for helpful resources.
- Attendance Guide
- Chronic Absenteeism
- Did You Know?
- Scheduling Appointments Tips
- Family Feedback Forums
Attendance: A Guide for Parents
Attendance is vital to the overall success of your student. Each time your child is absent, they are missing out on not only learning, but opportunities to socialize, gain confidence, and be inspired. Did you know that students can still fall behind if they miss just one or two days every few weeks? Here are some helpful tips to know when and when to not send your student to school.
Your child should stay home for at least 24 hours if:
- They are running a fever of 100 degrees or more.
- They have vomited multiple times or have diarrhea.
- They have flu symptoms such as a fever, cough, sore throat, chills, aches and pains.
Please ensure that your child is symptom free without medicine for one full day before sending them back to school.
We understand that appointments come up and are necessary. Whenever possible, schedule these appointments during student holidays, on the weekends, later in the afternoon, or first thing in the morning. Many of our schools take attendance at 9:30 am, so students not at school at this time can be counted as absent. If your student misses school due to an appointment, always get a doctor’s note to submit to the school so that the absence can get excused.
There are also many days during the school year when students do not have school. If you are able, try to schedule non-urgent medical appointments on these dates when there is no school.
No School Days
- September 7, 25
- October 12-16
- November 2, 23-27
- December 21-31
- January 1, 4-5, 18
- March 15-19, 26, 29
- April 30
- May 7
It is of the utmost importance that your child feels safe at school, however keeping them at home won’t solve this problem. It is imperative that you speak to the school counselor or admin if your child is getting bullied or feels anxiety about attending school. If you’re worried about your child’s mental health, contact your school nurse or counselor for more resources.
Don't miss out if you don't have to.
When you allow your child to miss school when they are not really sick or to travel, they miss out on important instruction that can lead to them falling behind. Did you know that if your child misses 10 days of school, they are 3 times more likely to drop out than a child who missed 5 days. Attendance matters, so your student shouldn’t miss school unless it is absolutely necessary.
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Chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing 10% or more of the school year for any reason, including excused and unexcused absences. When your student is absent, they are missing important instructional time and learning opportunities.
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Here are some helpful facts about the importance of attendance to support families in understanding the impact daily attendance has on their student’s academic success.
When possible, schedule non-urgent medical appointments outside of school hours.
We know some appointments come up unexpectedly or simply can’t be scheduled outside of the school day. But when possible, consider scheduling routine appointments, such as annual checkups or dental cleanings, after school or during school breaks.
Planning ahead can also help! Please visit the links below to see your child’s campus start and dismissal times, as well as the school days off throughout the year. Knowing the calendar can help families plan appointments, vacations, and other activities around the school day whenever possible.
At Lockhart ISD, we believe that open communication and collaboration between families and district leaders are essential for creating a thriving educational community. Our Family Feedback Forums provide a platform for meaningful dialogue where families can engage directly with district leaders to discuss pertinent issues, share insights, and work together towards improvement.
The Family Feedback Forums serve as a vital avenue for parents and guardians to voice their thoughts, concerns, and suggestions directly to district leaders. Through these conversations, we aim to foster a transparent and inclusive environment where everyone's perspective is valued and considered in our decision-making processes.
We encourage all parents and guardians to participate in our Parent Feedback Forums and play an active role in shaping the future of Lockhart ISD. Your feedback and engagement are invaluable as we work together to provide the best possible educational experience for our students.
Please click this link for more information.