Truancy & Chronic Absentee Prevention Paraprofessional

Tarkington Independent School District; Cleveland (TX); On-site; USD 28,000 - 38,000; Part time

Job summary

Tarkington Independent School District is seeking a Grant Funded Attendance Support Specialist for the 2025-2026 school year. This role monitors attendance, communicates with families, and assists with intervention plans under supervision of campus administrators to promote regular school attendance and connect families to supports.

Responsibilities include monitoring daily attendance, managing intervention records, generating reports for administrators, counselors, and teachers, and supporting

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Valid Texas Educational Aide Certificate or eligible to obtain.
• Valid Texas driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Knowledge of state attendance laws and district procedures.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Two years of experience working with students and families preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor daily attendance reports and identify students with chronic absences or tardiness.
• Maintain accurate records of attendance interventions and parent contacts.
• Generate reports to assist administrators, counselors, and teachers in addressing attendance concerns.
• Support compliance with state laws regarding truancy prevention and compulsory attendance.
• Contact parents/guardians by phone, email, or home visit to address attendance issues.
• Work with families to remove barriers to attendance (transportation, health, academic, or social challenges).
• Participate in attendance conferences and assist in developing Truancy Prevention Plans (TPPs).
• Encourage positive home-school relationships to improve engagement.
• Work with campus staff, counselors, and social workers to implement MTSS for attendance.
• Serve as a liaison between the school and local agencies or community organizations.
• Support parent education initiatives related to attendance, responsibility, and academic success.
• Assist in compiling documentation for truancy filings or referrals as required by law.
• Participate in staff meetings and professional development related to attendance and student engagement.
• Assist with incentives, recognition programs, and outreach events designed to promote good attendance.
• Maintain confidentiality of student information and adhere to district policies and FERPA requirements.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Bilingual

Education

High school diploma or GED

Texas Educational Aide Certificate

Texas driver’s license

Tools

Student Information System

Job description

Grant Funded 2025-2026 SY

Primary Purpose:

Support the district’s efforts to reduce student absences and prevent truancy by monitoring attendance, communicating with families, and assisting with intervention plans. Work under the supervision of the campus administrator or district attendance officer to identify attendance barriers, promote regular school attendance, and connect students and families to appropriate supports and resources.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

• High school diploma or GED (required)
• Valid Texas Educational Aide Certificate (or eligible to obtain)
• Valid Texas driver’s license and reliable transportation required
  

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of state attendance laws and district attendance procedures
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work with students, parents, and staff in a positive and professional manner
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
• Ability to maintain accurate records and use student information systems for data entry and reporting
  

Experience:

• Two years of experience working with students and families in a school or social service setting preferred

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Attendance Monitoring and Data Management

• Monitor daily attendance reports and identify students with chronic absences or patterns of tardiness.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of attendance interventions and parent contacts.
• Generate reports to assist administrators, counselors, and teachers in addressing attendance concerns.
• Support compliance with state laws regarding truancy prevention and compulsory attendance.

Family and Student Outreach

• Contact parents/guardians by phone, email, or home visit to address attendance issues and determine causes of absences.
• Work collaboratively with families to remove barriers to attendance (e.g., transportation, health, academic, or social challenges).
• Participate in attendance conferences and assist in developing Truancy Prevention Plans (TPPs) for identified students.
• Encourage positive relationships between home and school to improve student engagement and attendance.

Collaboration and Intervention Support

• Work with campus staff, counselors, and social workers to implement multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) for attendance.
• Serve as a liaison between the school and local agencies or community organizations providing support to families.
• Support parent education initiatives related to attendance, responsibility, and academic success.
• Assist in compiling documentation for truancy filings or referrals as required by law.
  

Campus and Community Support

• Participate in staff meetings and professional development related to attendance and student engagement.
• Assist with incentives, recognition programs, and outreach events designed to promote good attendance.
  Maintain confidentiality of student information and adhere to district policies and FERPA requirements.

Working Conditions

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

• Maintain emotional control under stress
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting up to 25 lbs
• Occasional travel within the district for home visits
• Possible exposure to varying home or community environments

Evaluation

Performance will be evaluated in accordance with district policies for paraprofessionals, based on effectiveness in improving attendance, quality of communication, and compliance with truancy prevention procedures.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals; camera(s), video cameras; desktop publishing software

Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion: Repetitive hand motions including frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching

Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)

Environment: May work prolonged or irregular hours

Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress