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Truancy is when a student is absent from school without a valid or approved reason, meaning the absence is unexcused and not approved by the school or parent. It usually refers to repeated or chronic unexcused absences that violate compulsory attendance and education laws. Truancy happens when teens skip school intentionally or accumulate multiple unexcused absences over a set period, permitted by their parents.
High truancy rates are linked to academic decline, early dropouts, mental health problems, and even substance abuse. Truancy can also lead to legal consequences for both students and their parents, such as fines or court intervention.
Truancy laws vary from state to state. Read on to understand truancy in Texas.
What Counts As Truancy in Texas?
In most states, truancy is considered excessive unexcused absences from school; however, the number of absences and rules regarding what makes an excuse valid vary. Typically, an excused absence requires the school to be notified by the parent or guardian, and the reasoning must be valid (sickness, religious holiday, loss of a family member, doctor appointment).
If students are found truant, school districts in Texas are first required to inform the family and take action with measures such as a parent conference, Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or extra support from the guidance counselor. If action from the school fails, then legal action is taken. Parents are held liable for contributing to nonattendance, but students are not criminally penalized in Texas.
Truancy laws apply to youth aged 6 to 19, and younger students enrolled in pre-K or kindergarten. Most states enforce truancy laws for teens up to 17 or 18 years old; however, in Texas, teens who are 19 and still enrolled in school are still required to follow mandatory attendance laws. Youth who are older than 19 and voluntarily attending school, such as to complete their diploma or GED cannot be found truant [1].
How Many Unexcused Absences Are Allowed in Texas?
In Texas, students are considered truant if they have three or more unexcused absences in a 4-week period, or 10 or more unexcused absences in a 6-month period in the school year. Tardies (arriving late without an excuse) or leaving early without an excuse can be considered partial absences and count towards truancy.
Texas enforces a “90 Percent Rule” requiring students to attend 90% of class time to receive credit. Exceptions are made for excused absences [1].
Valid Reasons for Absence: When Is It Okay to Skip Class?
Excused absences do not count towards truancy. An excused absence is one that is supported with a valid excuse and documentation, communicated with the school by the parent or guardian. Valid reasons for absence in Texas are typically allowed by state laws and school districts include [1]:
- Observation of religious holidays such as Hanukkah, Passover, Eid, Ramadan, Diwali, and Good Friday
- Funeral attendance for a family member or loss of a loved one
- Medical appointment with note (doctor, dentist, orthodontist, mental health therapist, psychiatrist)
- Required court appearance (documentation with the student’s name on the summons)
- Appearances related to US citizenship, application interviews, visa appointments, and naturalization ceremonies (common in Texas with a high population of immigrant youth)
- Participation in military honors, events, or parades
- College campus visits for juniors and senior high school students
- School-sponsored activities, community service, or volunteer days for high school seniors
- Co-op for high school juniors and seniors (half-day attending school, and half-day attending work, with written documentation from the job)
Absences such as staying home for non-documented illnesses, family vacations, or to take care of others (sick parent or sibling) are usually counted as unexcused. Exceptions are made in some cases for youth who come from high-risk homes and are working with a case manager team or on an IEP.
Truancy Consequences for Parents and Teens
Many parents have wondered if truancy is a crime, and the answer is mixed. Truancy can be illegal and get parents in trouble, but not in a criminal court, such as with murder or theft.
If students are found truant in Texas, the law requires the school to make social and educational interventions to address underlying issues of truancy. If this doesn’t help the problem, the school is then required to take legal action.
When legal action is taken, students and parents are referred to a truancy officer, who may show up at the house, give fines, and require parents to attend truancy court (a form of civil court). [2]
Consequences for students in truant court can include:
- Fines up to $100 per offense
- Court-ordered community service
- Mental health counseling
- Classes or summer school
- Possible loss of driving privileges (if student has a license)
Parents are also given consequences as they have a legal duty to ensure their child attends school under “Parental Contributing to Nonattendance” (PCNA) laws. Truancy consequences for parents include:
- Fines up to $500 per offense
- Court appearance alongside their teen
- Community service or court-ordered mandates
Courts often dismiss the charges if parents are showing compliance, such as cooperating with school truancy officers, the school district, and court orders to resolve attendance issues. Texas is moving towards more school-based and community-based interventions to address underlying mental health challenges, family problems, and economic barriers that contribute to truancy [2].
Supporting Students and Educating Parents in TX
We are committed to educating the community about youth mental health and supporting local initiatives that promote awareness of the struggles faced by teens. We work with local schools to provide early intervention and prevention to students struggling with mental health challenges.
Clearfork Academy is a network of behavioral health facilities in Texas committed to helping teens recover from behavioral addictions, substance abuse, and mental health disorders. Our licensed and accredited facility is dedicated to providing comprehensive, evidence-based care and education for parents and caregivers of youth.
Sources
[1] Levi, D. Understanding Truancy Laws in Texas. School Avoidance Alliance.
[2] Arnold, R. 2025. What happens when your child is sent to truancy court? What parents need to know. Click 2 Houston News.
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