As Victoria ISD prepares for the 2025-26 school year, the district is launching a bold new campaign, “Showing Up for Excellence,” to address the growing concerns around student attendance. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, school districts nationwide have faced a steady decline in both attendance and enrollment. VISD is taking a districtwide, proactive approach to reverse this trend and ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive.
“Regular school attendance is the foundation for student success,” said Superintendent Sheila Collazo. “It is a powerful commitment to learning, growth, and future success. Attendance is the first step toward achieving excellence, and that starts with being in class every day.”
Under Texas state law, students are required to attend school and must attend at least 90% of the days a class is offered. Each absence counts, regardless of whether the absences are excused or unexcused. Chronic absenteeism, missing as few as two days per month can significantly impact student outcomes. Students with excessive absences are more likely to fall behind academically, score lower in reading and math, and are 20% less likely to graduate on time.
The district's initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of attendance, provide support to families, and reinforce the legal requirements and consequences related to truancy. Unexcused absences can affect eligibility for participation in school-sponsored events and activities.
As part of the initiative, every family will receive a “Showing Up for Excellence” pamphlet during the first week of school. Inside the pamphlet, parents and guardians will find the VISD Attendance Commitment, a shared agreement to support academic excellence by aligning expectations between students, families, campus leaders and district administration. The commitment will be signed by the student, parent or guardian, campus principal, and Superintendent Collazo. More details will be provided by each child’s campus.
The “Showing Up for Excellence” plan includes the following strategies:
Parent Communication: Families are encouraged to plan ahead for the school day, communicate promptly about absences, and keep students home only when medically necessary.
On-Time Arrival: Emphasis on the importance of arriving on time and remaining at school for the full instructional day.
Documentation Guidelines: Absences must be documented within three days using the electronic Student Absence Form available at www.visd.net/absenceform. Only five parent notes will be accepted per semester.
Awareness Tools: Campuses will use trackers and tiered recognition to monitor and celebrate exemplary attendance.
“We’re not just enforcing rules—we’re building a culture of showing up,” said Collazo. “This initiative reflects our commitment to helping students build strong habits and take ownership of their future one day at a time”