Lamar CISD Exemption Policy Update

Sep 08, 2023 | Lamar CISD Communications

On September 5, the Lamar CISD Board of Trustees approved some important changes to our EIAA Local policy, which provides guidance regarding our final exam exemptions. These updates will go into effect on Monday, September 11, 2023.

Effective September 11, 2023, the following adjustments will be made to our final exam policy for 7th – 12th grade students:

Absence Criteria for Exam Exemptions:
To qualify for an exemption from final exams, a student shall have no more than three absences without a note from a medical professional or up to five absences with a note from a medical professional for at least two of those absences. This change reinforces the importance of regular attendance while allowing flexibility for genuine medical reasons.  

Attendance Review Committee (ARC):
Parents and students may request the campus ARC (as specified in FEC Local) to review cases of students with more than five total absences. The committee will assess whether the student has valid reasons to be considered eligible for exam exemptions. Decisions made by the ARC are final and may not be appealed. We encourage students and parents to utilize this process if they believe their circumstances warrant a review.

Absent on Exam Day:
If a student fails to be present and sign in on the day of the exam, they will be marked absent and required to take the assessment at a later date, determined by the campus administration. Failure to take the assessment will result in a grade of zero for the final/semester exam.

Important Note: Absences accrued prior to September 11, 2023, will NOT count against earning exemptions. However, any absences prior to September 11, 2023, may count against compulsory attendance requirements per board Policy FEA (Legal) and FEC (Legal).

These changes to our final exam policy reflect our commitment to maintaining a fair and equitable academic environment while emphasizing the importance of regular attendance and accountability. We believe that these adjustments will promote academic success and encourage responsible attendance habits among our students.

We understand that you may have questions or require additional information regarding these policy changes and our team will be available to support you. For any inquiries, please reach out to your campus administration or staff directly.

We understand that you may have questions or require additional information regarding these policy changes and our team will be available to support you. For any inquiries, please reach out to your campus administration or staff directly.