CCLS HOUSTON ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR IEP STUDENTS
This policy outlines CCLS Houston’s attendance requirements, expectations, and procedures to ensure that students maintain good standing and make satisfactory academic progress.
This policy applies to in-person students enrolling in IEP (Intensive English Program).
Consistent attendance is essential for students to follow the sequence of instruction, build on previously learned material, and engage in ongoing interactive language practice that supports a comprehensive understanding and progression toward achieving fluency in the language.
MINIMUM ATTENDANCE
Students must attend at least 80% of their scheduled classes.
TRACKING ATTENDANCE
- Instructors record attendance every class in attendance logs and inform the Academic Coordinator if a student is absent for three consecutive days.
- The Academic Coordinator reviews attendance logs once every 2 weeks.
- Attendance logs are recorded in students’ files at the end of the course.
- Instructors remind students in class and inform the Academic Coordinator if they are at risk of not meeting the minimum attendance requirement.
- The Academic Coordinator monitors attendance and notifies students of their progress.
ABSENCES AND TARDINESS:
Each class is divided into three instructional periods. Absences and Tardiness are recorded as follows:
- Tardy (T): A student is marked Tardy when they miss 15 to 30 minutes of class, either by arriving late or leaving early (Early Departure).
- Partial Attendance (PA): A student is marked Partial Attendance when they miss more than 30 minutes and up to 90 minutes, but are still present for two full instructional periods.
- Absent (A): A student is marked Absent when they miss two instructional periods or attend only one period or less during the class session.
Six (6) Tardy marks are equivalent to one (1) absence.
Two (2) Partial Attendance marks are equivalent to one (1) absence.
EXCUSED ABSENCES:
Excused absences are not allowed. Absences due to non-emergency situations need to be covered within the allowed 20% absences.
Documented emergency situations require a Leave of Absence (LOA). See policy.
MAKE-UP WORK POLICY Absent students are encouraged to complete any missed work within one week of their return. While make-up work supports continued academic progress, it does not remove or reduce recorded absences. All make-up assignments must be comparable in content and instructional value to the material missed.
ATTENDANCE CONSEQUENCES
- Students with attendance below 85% at midpoint of a term, will receive an Attendance alert notice by email about the risk of not meeting attendance requirements.
- Students with attendance below 80% will be placed on attendance probation for the next term.
- The Academic Coordinator defines a learning plan that includes attendance goals, individualized support measures, and progress checkpoints (every 2 weeks). The learning plan is signed by the student and the Academic Coordinator and filed in the student record.
- The Academic Coordinator communicates alert and probation notices by email and documents them in students’ files.
- At the end of the probation term, students will return to good standing if they achieve at least 80% attendance rate.
- Students who are absent 30 consecutive days (not counting school breaks) are administratively withdrawn.
APPEAL
Students who receive an attendance probation notice may submit a documented written appeal request to the Academic Coordinator within 5 business days of receiving the notice. CCLS Houston may schedule a meeting with the student and a final decision will be provided within 7 business days of the appeal submission. During the appeal process, the student remains enrolled and is expected to continue attending classes and complying with all school policies.
COMMUNICATION
- This policy is communicated to students in the registration form (at enrollment), is included in each course syllabus (grade system), and is explained on the first day of class. It is also included in the student’s handbook and it is posted on CCLS Houston’s website.
- Instructors and staff communicate with students about attendance throughout the course verbally and by email.
- The Academic Coordinator communicates alerts and probation notices in writing, and documents them in the student’s academic file.
PROVISIONAL CLAUSE: (IEP – International students)
This clause will become effective after CCLS Houston is granted authorization by DHS and SEVP to enroll F-1 students:
- This policy will be explained during the orientation session and will be included in the student’s handbook, in addition to the registration form (at enrollment), and course syllabus.
- F-1 students must maintain full-time enrollment and meet the satisfactory progress requirements as defined above to maintain their visa status.
- Failure to meet satisfactory progress requirements may result in CCLS Houston reporting termination or reduced enrollment to SEVIS in compliance with federal regulations.
- CCLS Houston will notify F-1 students promptly of probation status and consequences, including potential SEVIS termination if satisfactory progress requirements are not met after probation.
- F-1 students on probation must comply fully with the learning plan and improve performance during the probation term to avoid termination of SEVIS status.
- A Leave of absence, medical leave and vacation policy apply to F1 students.
This policy becomes effective during the second quarter of 2025.
This policy is subject to periodic review and may be updated as necessary. Any updates must be approved by the President as specified in CCLS Houston’s Policy for Institutional Policy Development.
Updated: 07/02/25