Student Attendance and Compulsory Compliance: Maintaining Accountability and Engagement in Katy ISD
How compulsory attendance, the 90% rule, and Board Policy FEA work in Katy ISD.
Quick answer
Student attendance and compulsory attendance compliance in Katy ISD are governed by Texas Education Code mandates and district policies under Board Policy FEA (LEGAL/LOCAL). Regular daily attendance is foundational to academic achievement, student well-being, and state funding formulas. Maintaining high attendance standards requires balanced intervention frameworks that address chronic absenteeism while supporting families through proactive communication and support.
What changed or what the rule says
These requirements come from Texas Education Code § 25.085 and state compulsory attendance laws. The 90% Rule (§ 25.092): Students must attend class for at least 90% of the days the class is offered to receive credit or a final grade, regardless of whether the absences are excused or unexcused (barring documented medical exceptions or approved educational make-up plans). Compulsory Age Limits: Children between the ages of six and 19 are required to attend school each school day for the entire period the program of instruction is provided, unless legally exempt. Truancy Prevention Measures: Under Texas Education Code § 25.0915, school districts must initiate truancy prevention measures, such as parent conferences, attendance improvement plans, and student support interventions, before filing formal truancy charges in a county court of law after ten unexcused absences within a six-month period.
Why this matters to Katy ISD
Protecting State Funding Streams. A significant portion of Katy ISD’s operating revenue under the Foundation School Program is tied directly to average daily attendance (ADA). When attendance drops, district operating revenue decreases correspondingly. Direct Correlation to Academic Success. Students cannot master complex concepts in reading, mathematics, and science if they are not physically present in the classroom to engage with teachers and peers. Fostering Accountability and Habits. Regular school attendance builds lifelong discipline, professional reliability, and strong community engagement habits that prepare students for higher education and the modern workforce.
What I would watch as a trustee
Monitoring Chronic Absenteeism Trends. Reviewing district data regularly to identify campuses or demographic groups experiencing elevated absentee rates and directing targeted support resources accordingly. Streamlining Parent Notification Systems. Ensuring that automated attendance alert systems notify families immediately when a student is marked absent, preventing missed communications and unexcused accumulation. Balancing Intervention with Compassion. Supporting restorative attendance strategies and truancy prevention plans that assist struggling families rather than relying solely on punitive judicial measures.
What this does not mean
Excused absences backed by physician documentation or approved district waivers are accounted for under designated make-up frameworks and do not automatically result in credit loss. District attendance committees maintain the authority to review individual student cases where unusual hardships, chronic health conditions, or family emergencies impacted attendance. While schools provide tracking and intervention tools, ensuring daily school attendance remains fundamentally a parental obligation and family priority.
Have insights from your campus or neighborhood?
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Sources and further reading
External sources open in a new tab. Accessed or reviewed November 13, 2026.