Eid absences in Texas public schools

A Texas public-school student who misses school to observe a religious holy day has a specific attendance protection. Under Education Code §25.087, a school district must excuse the observance and travel for that purpose. The same statute requires the district to accept a parent’s note verifying why the student was absent, and forbids demanding documentation from a clergy member or other religious leader. An Eid absence does not depend on the school putting Eid on its holiday calendar. [1]

What the absence changes

The statute says a student with an absence excused under this provision cannot be penalized for it and must have a reasonable time to complete missed schoolwork. When the work is completed satisfactorily, the absence counts as compulsory attendance. Its treatment for average daily attendance is also addressed in the law. “Excused” should therefore mean more than someone verbally agreeing that a family had a good reason. [1]

TEA’s administrator FAQ distinguishes religious observances and other mandatory exceptions from ordinary absences that local officials decide whether to excuse. A district’s routine attendance procedure still matters, but a general discretionary-absence policy is not the whole answer to a religious holy-day request. [2]

A useful parent’s note

State the child’s name, campus, dates and purpose: observing Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha, including any travel needed for that observance. Send it through the school’s normal attendance channel, keep a copy, and ask teachers how to complete missed work. If the expected date changes, send a correction so the note matches the actual absence. This is a practical way to make the record clear, rather than a claim that one statewide form or advance-notice deadline applies.

For example: “Please excuse [student name] on [date] for observance of [religious holy day], including [travel dates, if applicable]. Please let me know the arrangements for missed assignments.” A family does not need to add a mosque’s letterhead to satisfy the parent-note provision. [1]

If the record is wrong

Ask the attendance office which category was used and request a written correction if the absence was entered as unexcused. Attach the original note and identify §25.087(b)(1)(A), (d) and (f). If the office needs help interpreting its procedure, bring the question to the principal or district attendance staff and ask for the relevant local policy. Keep the issue specific: dates, attendance coding and missed work.

This guide addresses the public-school provision, rather than employment leave or every private school’s contract. College examinations have a separate legal framework explained in Eid absences at Texas public colleges. For other school questions, our records on Muslim student clubs and teaching about religion address different issues.