The Texas attendance rules say that a student must be in a class at least 90% of the time if they want to be sure to get credit for that class. This rule applies even if your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan.

*Attendance is typically taken between 9:15 and 9:45 AM each day. As long as your child is present at that time, they will be marked present for that school day.

The school year is approximately 180 days. Although Texas schools moved away from counting days to counting minutes, it works out to be pretty much 180 days for a school year. (House Bill 2610, passed by the 84th Texas Legislature, amends Section 25.081, Texas Education Code, by striking language requiring 180 days of instruction and replacing this language with a requirement that districts provide at least 75,600 minutes of instruction, including intermissions and recess.)

In Texas, the standards for education are known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). These are statewide standards that outline what students should know and be able to do at each grade level and in each subject.

The grading scale is a PASS/FAIL system. A passing grade is 70 or above. (100-90= A; 89-80=B; 79-70=C; 69 and below is failing)

Currently in Texas, there are four graduation programs:

• The Foundation program (22 credits)
• The Foundation program plus an Endorsement (26 credits) which includes a 4th science & math plus courses for endorsement
• The Distinguished Level of Achievement (26 credits)
• Performance Acknowledgement (22 or 26 credits) – Outstanding performance on specific tests or earn a business/industry certificate

A credit is a unit of measure awarded for successful completion of a high school course. To graduate under the Foundation High School Program, students must earn a minimum of 22 credits in the following areas:

• English (4 credits) • English I • English II • English III • An advanced English course
• Mathematics (3 credits) • Algebra I • Geometry • An advanced math course
• Science (3 credits) • Biology • Integrated Physics and • An advanced science course Chemistry/Chemistry/ Physics
• Social Studies (3 credits) • World History or World Geography • U.S. History • U.S. Government (one-half credit) • Economics (one-half credit)
• Languages Other • 2 credits in the same language or Than English (2 credits) • 2 credits from Computer programming, Languages, including Computer Coding
• Physical Education (1 credit)
• Fine Arts (1 credit)
• Electives (5 credit)

End-of-Course Exam Requirement: In addition to meeting graduation credit requirements, students are required to pass five end-of-course (EOC) exams to earn a diploma from a Texas public high school. Those five exams are given when a student takes English I and II, Biology, Algebra I, and U.S. History. A student who fails an EOC exam for no more than two of five courses can still receive a diploma if he or she qualifies to graduate as a result of an individual graduation committee review. Please see Graduation Options to see any exceptions to this rule for students with disabilities. Under the Foundation program only, the ARD committee, which includes you and your child, can decide whether your child will need to pass the end of course assessments in order to graduate. Refer to the TEA Graduation Toolkit for more information: Graduation Tool kit

While the typical age for kindergarten enrollment is five years old by September 1 of the current school year, it is not mandatory for children to start school at this age. Texas does not have compulsory kindergarten attendance. However, from age 6 to 19, children must attend school, either public or private (includes homeschooling), until they graduate or get a GED. If a child has been enrolled in school for Pre-K, kindergarten, or 1st grade, the child must continue going to school that academic year, even if he or she is not yet 6.

Early Entrance Into 1st Grade: State policy specifically permits. TEC §42.003(c) states that a child may be enrolled in the first grade if he or she is 6 years old by the beginning of the school year, has been enrolled in a first-grade program in another state, or has successfully completed kindergarten in another state. Any five-year-old child may be assigned to 1st grade if the local district determines it is appropriate.

Keep in mind, according to the Military Interstate Compact Sec 3.102(b), military-connected students shall be allowed to continue their enrollment at grade level in the receiving State commensurate with their grade level (including Kindergarten) from a LEA in the sending State at the time of transition, regardless of age. In the case of a Kindergarten student, the student must have been enrolled and attended class in the sending State in order to assure continued attendance in kindergarten in the receiving State. A student that has satisfactorily completed the prerequisite grade level in the local education agency in the sending state shall be eligible for enrollment in the next highest grade level in the receiving State, regardless of age. A student transferring after the start of the school year in the receiving State shall enter the school in the receiving state on their validated level from an accredited school in the sending State.

If you want to delay KG, you have that right. A child who is five years of age on September 1 of the current school year is eligible for enrollment in a pre-K class if the child’s parent or guardian elects for the child to repeat pre-K in accordance with the TEC, §28.02124, or if the child would have been eligible to enroll in pre-K during the previous school year under the TEC, §29.153(b), and the child has not yet enrolled in kindergarten. https://tea.texas.gov/academics/early-childhood-education/early-childhood-education-faqs#pkeligibility.

In Texas, you have the right to request that your child repeat KG. If the end of the year comes, and you would like your child to have another year of KG, you will let the school know. The 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session passed Senate Bill (SB) 1697, which amends state law to allow parents and guardians to elect for a student to repeat a grade or retake a high school course, per Texas Education Code (TEC) §28.02124. The legislation, which went into effect on June 16, 2021, gives parents or guardians the right to opt for their child to –repeat prekindergarten; enroll in prekindergarten if the child was eligible to enroll in prekindergarten in the previous school year, under TEC, §29.153(b), and has not yet enrolled in kindergarten; repeat kindergarten; enroll in kindergarten if the child would have enrolled in kindergarten in the previous school year and has not yet enrolled in first grade*; and for grades one through three, repeat the grade the student was enrolled in the previous school year. https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/parental-options-for-students-to-repeat-grades-or-courses

Pre-K is available in most public school district in our area. You can enroll your child in free public school Pre-K in a district of your choice, regardless of the district you are zoned for.

According to Texas Education Code 25.153 (b), a child that is at least four years of age by September 1^st and is the child of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active duty by proper authority or  is the child of a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty is eligible for free Pre-K enrollment at any public school in Texas. Disabled vets with a 10%+ disability rating also qualify. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.29.htm#29.153.

If you want to delay KG and have your child repeat Pre-K, you have that right. A child who is five years of age on September 1 of the current school year is eligible for enrollment in a Pre-K class if the child’s parent or guardian elects for the child to repeat Pre-K in accordance with the TEC, §28.02124, or if the child would have been eligible to enroll in pre-K during the previous school year under the TEC, §29.153(b), and the child has not yet enrolled in kindergarten. https://tea.texas.gov/academics/early-childhood-education/early-childhood-education-faqs#pkeligibility.

Some districts offer an income-based Head Start Program for children that are 3 years old by September 1^st of that school year.

On the installation, kids 3-5 may receive Pre-K instruction in the Dyess AFB Child Development Center (https://dyessfss.com/child-development-center/) or Family Child Care homes (https://dyessfss.com/family-child-care/).

There are many private schools in our area that offer Pre-K. Abilene Christian School, St. John’s Episcopal School, Cornerstone Christian School, Abilene Classical Academy are some of the most popular faith-based schools that serve students in 3 year Pre-K and up.

Several day care centers in town offer Pre-K. These are some of the most commonly used centers: Day Nursery, Pioneer Drive Pathways Learning Center, Habitat for Learning, All God’s Children, His Little Angels, Small World of Learning,  and Big Adventures Learning Center.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN GUIDELINES https://tea.texas.gov/academics/early-childhood-education/texas-prekindergarten-guidelines

              **Please note that Pre-K students may not use the Dyess AFB Youth Center for before and after school care. Additionally, the Dyess AFB CDC does not offer part-time care for before and after school care.

Gifted education is offered in each district. Parents may request gifted education for their own children each school year during a designated referral window. If your child received gifted education services at their previous school, they will qualify for similar services at their new school upon enrollment. However, the new school has the right to reevaluate your child to determine continued eligibility at their discretion.

The Purple Star Designation was established by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to recognize public schools that provide high-quality support to meet the unique needs of military-connected students and their families. Last year, TEA designated seven Abilene ISD schools as Purple Star Campuses, including Abilene High School, Cooper High School, ATEMS High School, Clack Middle School, and Bassetti, Dyess, and Ward elementary schools. Wylie ISD boasts Wylie High School as the first school in the Abilene area to earn a Purple Star. They have recently renewed their status for the 2023-24 SY. Texas Leadership Academy (TLCA) also earned a Purple Star designation for the 2023-24 SY.

Purple Star Designation

Homeschoolers are not regulated in the same ways that traditional, accredited private schools are regulated in Texas. Homeschools in Texas are private schools for the purpose of compulsory attendance and private schools are not regulated by the state (Texas does not regulate the number of days per year that private schools must be in session or the number of days a student must attend). There is also no minimum amount of hours you must homeschool each day. The school district also has no authority to approve curricula used by private schools. Read more about the differences in regulation of private schools and homeschools in Texas. For more information about homeschooling in Texas, check out the Texas Home School Coalition at https://thsc.org/requirements-to-homeschool-in-texas/.

Homeschooling for Immunization Waiver

• Refusal to Vaccinate Form
• Refusal to Vaccinate Request Memo
• Refusal to Vaccinate – AFI

Extracurricular Participation for Homeschoolers

The Dyess AFB Youth Center offers one-hour PE classes twice per week for military-connected homeschoolers for $50 per family, per semester. Immunizations are required. Call 696.4797 to register.

Homeschool students are permitted to participate in UIL athletic and arts programs within the district they are zoned. Contact the student services department at your zoned district for enrollment. See the School Liaison if you want to participate at a different school. (https://www.uiltexas.org/policy/2021-22-policy-info/2021-22-homeschoolparticipation)

Other Community-Based Opportunities:

AYSA (https://www.abileneysa.org/) offers open gym daily.
XDot (https://xdotacademy.com/) offers opportunities for homeschool athletic teams
Grace Museum Art Classes(https://thegracemuseum.org/) Three classes are held once a month (September-May). Pre-registration is required.
Abilene Homeschool Choir (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfYP8-n4mTJiMqmG4thtVny3yX8kblotzt-z3LtHzsP5f4Bw/viewform)
Abilene Zoo (https://abilenezoo.org/education-classes/) offers preschool and homeschool classes.

Texas Homeschool Coalition (https://thsc.org/), National Homeschool Association, and Homeschool Legal Defense Association are all associations that education homeschoolers on their rights and protections.

Homeschool Participation in School Activities.

School Liaisons share information on homeschool issues, concerns, local policies, and regulations of state/local education agencies and connect home school families to their community.

• Homeschool Brochure
• Homeschooling Legal Defense Association
• Homeschool Cooking Club
• PE Flyer
• FAQ
• Dyess Library