Board approves application for TEA's Optional Flexible School Day program to help chronically absent students

The Progresso ISD board voted to seek TEA approval for the Optional Flexible School Day program designed to help at-risk students make up missed instructional minutes and generate ADA funding for the district.

A presenter explained the program's mechanics: qualifying students (for example, those absent more than 10 days or in need of credit recovery) would be approved by a committee made up of the principal, the counselor and a parent. "What this allows is to have a flexible instructional schedule for students," the presenter said, describing how minutes logged in tutoring, summer school or Saturday sessions count toward ADA so students can recover attendance without being physically present for a full day.

Staff explained safeguards to avoid misuse: students must apply and be approved by the campus committee; the program requires minute-by-minute logs (the district will track minutes, not full days); a teacher of record must oversee services; and the committee model prevents automatic enrollment. The presenter said the application window only opened in May and the district must apply at least 30 days before the first day of school.

Board members asked whether extracurricular participation and playoff eligibility would be affected; staff said participation would continue and UIL rules are not changed by program participation. Trustees also asked for data on expected enrollment and financial impact; staff said they will report program metrics after implementation.