FEA
Attendance: Compulsory Attendance
This policy governs the requirement for students to attend school regularly, in accordance with compulsory attendance laws.
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Local Changes (2)
2026-05-12Adopted · Meeting notes
This update to Conroe ISD's FEA Local Policy adds an entirely new "Released Time Course" section, which establishes procedures for excusing students to attend off-campus religious instruction courses offered by private entities, including requirements for parental written consent, district prohibitions on funding/hosting such courses, transportation responsibilities, private entity obligations, and student responsibilities. The update is driven by Texas Senate Bill 1049 (Acts 2025, 89th Leg.), effective September 1, 2025.
Added
- Released Time Course (section heading)
- Definition: For the purpose of this section, released time course shall mean a course in religious instruction offered by a private entity.
- Released Time Course Excused Absence: The District shall excuse a student and adopt a procedure for a parent or legal guardian to request their student to be excused from attending school to attend a released time course for at least one but not more than five hours per week. The District shall not interfere with the ability of the student's parent or legal guardian to request or access a released time course for their student.
- As part of the District procedure, the District will require the student's parent or legal guardian to provide written consent for the student to attend the released time course.
- District Prohibitions: The District shall prohibit: 1. The use of District or school funds, to facilitate the provision of a released time course, excluding de minimis costs. 2. The private entity from offering the released time course on District or school property, unless permitted under a neutral Board Policy or District procedure that provides equal access to community organizations to use District or school property. See School Board Policy GKD (Local).
- Transportation: It shall be the responsibility of the private entity providing the course, the parent or legal guardian, or the student to arrange, provide, and assume responsibility for transportation to and from the location where the released time course is offered. This shall include transportation for students with disabilities.
- Private Entity Responsibility: The private entity offering the released time course shall: 1. Make appropriate provisions for and assume full liability for the student while the student is under its supervision and private care; 2. Monitor student attendance; 3. Report any student failure to attend the released time course to the District as soon as practicable; and 4. Maintain accurate attendance records and provide them on a regular basis to the District.
- Student Responsibility: The student shall assume responsibility for any District schoolwork during the student's absence and for continuous attendance at the released time course.
- The District shall adopt procedures to implement this policy.
Removed
- 2023-10-30 (strikethrough in DATE ISSUED field, indicating the date is being updated)
Legal Compliance Summary
AI-generated assessment. Verify citations independently before relying on this analysis.
- New State Law Requirement: Texas Senate Bill 1049, effective September 1, 2025, requires school districts to create a policy allowing students to leave campus for religious instruction offered by outside organizations. Conroe ISD updated its FEA Local Policy to meet this requirement.
- Excused Absences for Religious Instruction: Under TEC §25.0875, students may be excused from school up to 1–5 hours per week to attend an off-campus religious instruction course if a parent or guardian requests it. This applies to courses run by private organizations, not the school district.
- Written Consent Procedure: The district chose to require written parental consent before a student may participate in a released time course. State law requires a parent or guardian to make a request, but does not specify that the request must be in writing — this is a local decision by the board.
- District Funding and Property Limits: The policy prohibits the district from using school funds to support released time courses and generally bars private organizations from offering these courses on district property. These restrictions reflect local board choices and are not directly required by S.B. 1049.
- Transportation Responsibilities: The policy states that getting students to and from the off-campus religious instruction site is the responsibility of the private organization, the parent or guardian, or the student — not the school district. This includes students with disabilities, and is a local policy decision not spelled out in state law.
- Student Makeup Work: Students who attend a released time course are responsible for making up any schoolwork missed during that time. The district also requires students to attend the off-campus course consistently once enrolled — both of these are local rules added by the board, not requirements from state law.
Legal Compliance DetailsMixed
AI-generated assessment. Verify citations independently before relying on this analysis.
Requirement to Adopt Released Time Course Policy and Procedures Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC §25.0875(c), as added by S.B. 1049 (89th Leg., R.S.)
Verified via: web search confirmed
Definition of Released Time Course Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC §25.0875(a), as added by S.B. 1049 (89th Leg., R.S.)
Verified via: web search confirmed
Excused Absence for Released Time Course (1–5 hours per week, on parent/guardian request) Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC §25.0875(b), as added by S.B. 1049 (89th Leg., R.S.)
Verified via: web search confirmed
Non-Interference with Parent/Guardian Access to Released Time Course Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC §25.0875, as added by S.B. 1049 (89th Leg., R.S.)
Verified via: web search confirmed
Local additions: The non-interference framing is a local articulation of the statutory mandate to comply with parent/guardian requests without obstruction.
Parental Written Consent Requirement Locally Discretionary
Verified via: unverified — no verbatim statutory text retrieved from statute analysis establishing a written consent mandate
Local additions: District chose to require written parental consent as part of its adopted procedure. The statute requires a request by parent or guardian but does not specify the form of that request in any retrieved text.
District Prohibitions on Use of Funds and On-Campus Provision Locally Discretionary
Verified via: unverified — no verbatim statutory text retrieved from statute analysis establishing these specific prohibitions
Local additions: District added prohibition on use of district or school funds (excluding de minimis costs) and prohibition on private entity offering course on district property unless under a neutral equal-access policy. These may reflect constitutional principles and local board choices but cannot be grounded in the statute analysis as provided.
Transportation Responsibility Assignment (private entity, parent/guardian, or student; including students with disabilities) Locally Discretionary
Verified via: unverified — no verbatim statutory text retrieved from statute analysis establishing transportation responsibility rules
Local additions: District explicitly assigned transportation responsibility to private entity, parent/guardian, or student, including for students with disabilities. This is a local policy addition not grounded in any retrieved statutory text.
Private Entity Obligations (liability, attendance monitoring, failure-to-attend reporting, record maintenance) Locally Discretionary
Verified via: unverified — no verbatim statutory text retrieved from statute analysis establishing private entity obligation requirements
Local additions: District imposed obligations on private entities including assumption of full liability, monitoring and reporting student attendance, and maintaining and providing attendance records. These detailed requirements are not grounded in any retrieved statutory text and represent local policy choices.
Student Responsibility for Makeup Schoolwork and Continuous Attendance Locally Discretionary
Verified via: unverified — no verbatim statutory text retrieved from statute analysis
Local additions: District assigned student responsibility for making up any District schoolwork missed and for continuous attendance at the released time course. This is a local policy addition with no retrieved statutory basis.
2026-04-21Reading · Meeting notes
This update to Conroe ISD's FEA (Local) Compulsory Attendance policy adds an entirely new "Real Time Course" section, implementing Texas Senate Bill 1049 (Acts 2025), which establishes a framework for excused absences when students attend released time courses (religious instruction offered by a private entity). The new section defines released time courses, sets out District procedures, parental consent requirements, prohibitions on use of District funds/property, transportation responsibilities, private entity obligations, and student responsibilities.
Added
- Real Time Course [section heading]
- Definition: For the purpose of this section, released time course shall mean a course in religious instruction offered by a private entity.
- Release Time Course Excused Absence: The District shall adopt a procedure for a parent or legal guardian to request their student to be excused from attending school to attend a released time course for at least one but not more than five hours per week. The District shall not interfere with the ability of the student's parent or legal guardian to request or access a released time course for their student.
- As part of the District procedure, the District will require the student's parent or legal guardian to provide written consent for the student to attend the released time course.
- District Prohibitions: The District shall prohibit: 1. The use of District or school funds, to facilitate the provision of a released time course, excluding de minimis costs. 2. The private entity from offering the released time course on District or school property, unless permitted under a neutral Board Policy or District procedure that provides equal access to community organizations to use District or school property. See School Board Policy GKD (Local).
- Transportation: It shall be the responsibility of the private entity providing the course, the parent or legal guardian, or the student to arrange, assume responsibility, and provide transportation to and from the location where the released time course is offered. This shall include transportation for students with disabilities.
- Private Entity Responsibility: The private entity offering the released time course shall: 1. Make appropriate provisions for and assume full liability for the student while the student is under its supervision and private care; 2. Monitor student attendance; 3. Report any student failure to attend the real time course to the District as soon as practicable; and 4. Maintain accurate attendance records and provide them on a regular basis to the District.
- Student Responsibility: The student shall assume responsibility for any District schoolwork during the student's absence and for continuous attendance at the real time course.
- The District shall adopt procedures to implement this policy.
Removed
- 2023-10-30 [strikethrough on DATE ISSUED line]
Legal Compliance Summary
AI-generated assessment. Verify citations independently before relying on this analysis.
- Released Time Courses Defined: Texas S.B. 1049 (2025) created a new category of excused absence for students who leave campus to attend religious instruction offered by a private organization. Conroe ISD's updated policy adds this definition and a framework for how the district will handle these absences, as required by state law (TEC §25.0875).
- Parental Consent Required: Under TEC §25.0875, a parent or guardian must give written consent before a student can be excused from school to attend a released time course. The district's policy includes this consent requirement as part of its official procedures.
- No District Funds or Property: State law prohibits the district from spending school funds to support released time courses, and private organizations generally may not use school property to offer them. An exception exists if the district already has a neutral, equal-access policy allowing outside groups to use its facilities, which Conroe ISD addressed by referencing its existing Policy GKD (Local).
- Transportation Is Not the District's Responsibility: TEC §25.0875 requires that transportation to and from a released time course be arranged by the private organization, the parent or guardian, or the student — not the school district. This applies to students with disabilities as well.
- Private Organization Obligations: The statute (TEC §25.0875(c)(1)) places three obligations on private entities offering released time courses: (1) maintain attendance records and make them available to the district; (2) assume responsibility for transportation including for students with disabilities; and (3) make provisions for and assume liability for the student while under the private entity's care. The CISD policy expands this into four items, adding a standalone 'monitor student attendance' obligation and a 'report any student failure to attend as soon as practicable' requirement — neither of which appears in the enrolled bill. Those two items are local additions classified as Locally Discretionary.
- Student Responsibilities During Absence: The statute requires the student to assume responsibility for any schoolwork issued during the absence (TEC §25.0875(c)(1)(E)). The CISD policy adds a requirement for 'continuous attendance at the real time course,' which does not appear in the enrolled bill and is a local addition.
Legal Compliance DetailsRequired by Law
AI-generated assessment. Verify citations independently before relying on this analysis.
Adoption of procedure for released time course excused absences (1–5 hours per week) Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC §25.0875 as enacted by S.B. 1049 (89th Leg., R.S.)
Verified via: verbatim statute text — TEC §25.0875(c), S.B. 1049 enrolled bill, 89th Leg., R.S., capitol.texas.gov
Local additions: The statute requires adoption of a 'policy'; the CISD policy uses the word 'procedure' in places. The 1–5 hours per week limit comes from §25.0875(b): 'excuse the student from attending school to attend a released time course for at least one but not more than five hours a week.' Both subsections verified against enrolled bill.
Prohibition on District interference with parental right to request or access a released time course Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC §25.0875 as enacted by S.B. 1049 (89th Leg., R.S.)
Verified via: verbatim statute text — TEC §25.0875(c)(3), S.B. 1049 enrolled bill, 89th Leg., R.S., capitol.texas.gov
Written parental/guardian consent requirement as part of District procedure Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC §25.0875 as enacted by S.B. 1049 (89th Leg., R.S.)
Verified via: verbatim statute text — TEC §25.0875(c)(1)(A), S.B. 1049 enrolled bill, 89th Leg., R.S., capitol.texas.gov
Local additions: None — verbatim match. Note: framed in statute as a required policy element under §25.0875(c)(1)(A), not a standalone district mandate.
Prohibition on use of District or school funds to facilitate a released time course (excluding de minimis costs) Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC §25.0875 as enacted by S.B. 1049 (89th Leg., R.S.)
Verified via: verbatim statute text — TEC §25.0875(c)(2)(A), S.B. 1049 enrolled bill, 89th Leg., R.S., capitol.texas.gov
Prohibition on private entity offering released time course on District/school property unless neutral equal-access policy applies Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC §25.0875 as enacted by S.B. 1049 (89th Leg., R.S.)
Verified via: verbatim statute text — TEC §25.0875(c)(2)(B), S.B. 1049 enrolled bill, 89th Leg., R.S., capitol.texas.gov
Local additions: The policy references 'a neutral Board Policy or District procedure that provides equal access' and cross-references GKD (Local). The statute says 'a neutral policy of equal access that allows community organizations to use district or school property.' The policy adds 'Board Policy or District procedure' framing not present in the statute, but the substance is consistent.
Transportation responsibility (private entity, parent/guardian, or student; including students with disabilities) Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC §25.0875 as enacted by S.B. 1049 (89th Leg., R.S.)
Verified via: verbatim statute text — TEC §25.0875(c)(1)(C), S.B. 1049 enrolled bill, 89th Leg., R.S., capitol.texas.gov
Private entity liability and supervision obligation Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC §25.0875 as enacted by S.B. 1049 (89th Leg., R.S.)
Verified via: verbatim statute text — TEC §25.0875(c)(1)(D), S.B. 1049 enrolled bill, 89th Leg., R.S., capitol.texas.gov
Local additions: The policy says 'make appropriate provisions for and assume full liability...while the student is under its supervision and private care.' The statute says 'make provisions for and assume liability...while the student is under the private entity's care.' 'Appropriate,' 'full,' and 'supervision and private' are local additions not present in the enrolled bill.
Private entity obligation to monitor student attendance Locally Discretionary
Statutory basis: TEC §25.0875 as enacted by S.B. 1049 (89th Leg., R.S.)
Verified via: not in enrolled bill — TEC §25.0875, S.B. 1049 enrolled bill, 89th Leg., R.S., capitol.texas.gov
Local additions: RECLASSIFIED: 'Monitor student attendance' does not appear in the enrolled bill. The statute's single private entity attendance obligation is §25.0875(c)(1)(B): 'maintain attendance records and make the records available to the district or school at which the student is enrolled.' The policy's standalone 'monitor' obligation is a local addition.
Private entity obligation to report student failure to attend to District as soon as practicable Locally Discretionary
Statutory basis: TEC §25.0875 as enacted by S.B. 1049 (89th Leg., R.S.)
Verified via: not in enrolled bill — TEC §25.0875, S.B. 1049 enrolled bill, 89th Leg., R.S., capitol.texas.gov
Local additions: RECLASSIFIED: 'Report any student failure to attend the released time course to the District as soon as practicable' does not appear anywhere in the enrolled bill. The statute only requires the private entity to maintain attendance records and make them available (§25.0875(c)(1)(B)). This is a local policy addition with no statutory basis.
Private entity obligation to maintain accurate attendance records and provide them regularly to the District Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC §25.0875 as enacted by S.B. 1049 (89th Leg., R.S.)
Verified via: verbatim statute text — TEC §25.0875(c)(1)(B), S.B. 1049 enrolled bill, 89th Leg., R.S., capitol.texas.gov
Local additions: The policy says 'maintain accurate attendance records and provide them on a regular basis to the District.' The statute says 'maintain attendance records and make the records available to the district or school.' 'Accurate' and 'on a regular basis' are local additions; 'make the records available' is softer than 'provide them.'
Student responsibility for District schoolwork during absence and continuous attendance at released time course Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC §25.0875 as enacted by S.B. 1049 (89th Leg., R.S.)
Verified via: verbatim statute text — TEC §25.0875(c)(1)(E), S.B. 1049 enrolled bill, 89th Leg., R.S., capitol.texas.gov
Local additions: The policy adds 'and for continuous attendance at the real time course.' 'Continuous attendance' does not appear in the enrolled bill — it is a local addition beyond the statutory requirement.
Definition of 'released time course' as a course in religious instruction offered by a private entity Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC §25.0875 as enacted by S.B. 1049 (89th Leg., R.S.)
Verified via: verbatim statute text — TEC §25.0875(a), S.B. 1049 enrolled bill, 89th Leg., R.S., capitol.texas.gov
Local additions: The policy section heading uses the phrase 'Real Time Course' rather than 'Released Time Course,' which appears to be a typographical inconsistency in the policy draft but does not alter the statutory basis. The definition itself tracks the statutory meaning.
District adoption of implementing procedures Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC §25.0875 as enacted by S.B. 1049 (89th Leg., R.S.)
Verified via: verbatim statute text — TEC §25.0875(c), S.B. 1049 enrolled bill, 89th Leg., R.S., capitol.texas.gov
Local additions: The policy adds a standalone sentence directing the District to adopt procedures to implement this policy, which mirrors the statutory mandate and adds no independent local content.