Klein ISD has an established, district wide, testing exemption policy that creates a proverbial catch-22 for the nearly 18,000 high school students in this district.

The current policy states that:

• 70 or above for the first semester and a 75 or above for the second semester in the class for which they are seeking an exemption
• Have no more than five (5) absences for a full year course or three (3) absences for a semester course.  An absence that counts towards final exam exemptions include excused, unexcused, and medical note absences. (My emphasis)
• Have maintained a conduct grade of "E", "S", or "N" during both the first and second semesters in the class for which they are seeking an exemption.
• Have not received a disciplinary consequence that resulted in an in-school suspension (ISS) or out of school suspension (OSS) assignment, or an alternative education placement (DAEP/JJAEP) in either the first or second semester.
• Have no outstanding fees and/or fines.

According to this policy, the only absences that do not count against a student in Klein ISD are school sponsored functions, sports, concerts, etc, and also the college visits allowed for students in grades 11 and 12.  

What's wrong with this policy is it either:

• Encourages students to come to school sick.
• Punishes students for something that is out of their control.  Parents make these decisions, not the students.

I think we can all agree that neither of these options are really acceptable.  Our nation saw what happens when people expose others to illnesses.  Additionally, our students work hard on a daily basis, and exemptions are a short-term goal to work for that encourages strong study habits and avoidance of unexcused absences.  Both things we want to continue to encourage our students to do.

Currently the CDC and IDPH guidelines are to quarantine or isolate for 5 days from the onset of symptoms.  Congratulations, your student in a half year course cannot qualify for an exemption, no matter if they have perfect attendance for the rest of the semester and have a perfect 100 in the class for which they are seeking an exemption.  And now your student is on the borderline of not being able to exempt a full year class.  There cannot be another missed day for illness, or maybe the pressures of senior year are mounting up on your student and they just need a mental health day.  All of these things are gone if you and your student are trying for exempt status for full year classes.

This policy, by having medical approved absences count against the students of the Klein ISD, is too strict and is more a punishment and a health and safety risk than it is a pathway to a reward for students and their hard work across the school year.

We are requesting that Klein ISD immediately remove this overly restrictive language from the testing exemption policy.