Truancy Information

Truancy Policy

Truancy Under the Texas Education Code

Texas law requires students ages 6 to 19 to attend school each day that instruction is provided.

Truancy Warning & Prevention Measures

If a student accumulates three (3) or more unexcused absences (full or partial days) within a four-week period, McKinney ISD will send a warning notice to the parent/guardian. This notice informs them that the student is subject to Truancy Prevention Measures (TPMs).

📌 How Truancy Notices Are Issued:

  • These notices are generated by the McKinney ISD Truancy Prevention Facilitator.

  • They are forwarded to the appropriate campus attendance clerks.

  • The campus then sends the notice to the parent/guardian on behalf of the school.

Truancy Notices for Unexcused Absences

✅ 3rd & 7th Unexcused Absence Notices Will:

  • Remind the parent/guardian of their legal duty to monitor their student’s attendance.

  • Require the student to attend school.

  • Request a conference between the parent/guardian and a school administrator.

  • Inform the parent that the district will implement Truancy Prevention Measures (TPMs), which may include:

    • A behavior improvement plan

    • School-based community service

    • Referrals to counseling or other social services

    • Other appropriate interventions

✅ 10th Unexcused Absence Notice Will:

  • Warn that a court of law may impose penalties against the parent if a school-aged student is deliberately not attending school.

  • Notify the parent that the district may file a complaint if the student accumulates 10 or more unexcused absences within a six-month period in the same school year.

  • Inform students ages 12 to 18 that they may be referred to truancy court for excessive absences.

Truancy Policy for Students Age 19 & Older

After a student age 19 or older incurs a third unexcused absence, the district is legally required to send the student a warning letter stating:

  • If the student reaches five (5) unexcused absences in a semester, the district may revoke the student’s enrollment for the remainder of the school year.

  • Instead of revoking enrollment, the district may implement a behavior improvement plan to address attendance concerns.