HOUSTON – Houston Independent School District extended teacher absences are down by 43% in 2023, the district said during a news conference on Wednesday.
This refers to absences that last several days.
HISD officials also discussed the district’s leave policies.
Chief of Human Resources Jessica Neyman said that every school day matters.
“It is similarly important for other district staff, this isn’t just related to our teachers, all district staff, myself included to show up for our kids. We all help ensure students make it to school, have the meals and support that they need to be successful, and are able to learn in a positive environment each and every day that they show up at school,” Neyman said.
At the beginning of the school year, Superintendent Mike Miles held a private meeting with the district’s leadership team, in which he addressed his concerns about employee and student attendance.
Last week, The Houston ISD board of managers unanimously approved the ‘District of Innovation’ plan that Superintendent Mike Miles says will “accelerate” their work to support kids.
Under this new plan, the district is allowed to lengthen the school year and send kids back to class earlier than usual in August.
Houston ISD plans to propose the 2024-2025 school year go from 172 instructional days to 185 instructional days. Classes would start no earlier than August 7 and no later than Aug. 14.
The forthcoming changes could create more of a strain on the district absence policy.
View the district’s current leave and absent policy below: