1. REGIONAL ATTENDANCE INITIATIVE North Metropolitan Education Region THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD ATTENDANCE. -GIVING YOUR CHILD THE BEST START TO THEIR SCHOOLING AS POSSIBLE-

2. “Student Attendance and Educational Outcomes: Every Day Counts” This report was prepared for the Department of Education by the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, UWA in May 2013. It was based on the attendance patterns of some 415,000 Government school students in WA and tables some of the following interesting points:

3. KEY FINDINGS 1. Disparities in attendance rates are evident from early schooling - A good start is imperative to future success. If Kindergarten is attended poorly by your child, the data says that poor attendance patterns will follow in later years. 2. In all analyses, average academic achievement on NAPLAN tests declined as absence rates increased - Every day of attendance contributes positively toward your child’s learning. Absence from school was related to poor academic achievement, not only in the current year but in future years as well. Gaps in student learning from one poor year of attendance have a flow-on effect in future years. 3. Educators cannot improve attendance alone – Parents play a critical role.

4. Period of Absence (Years 1-10) Rate of Attendance Equivalent Amount of School Missed if the Percentage Rate is Maintained between Year 1-10 0 – 2.5 days missed per term 95% – 100%0 – 6 months Average of 5 days missed per term 90%1 Year 1 day missed per week80%2 Years 1.5 days missed per week 70%3 Years 2 days missed per week 60%4 Years 2.5 days missed per week 50%5 Years 3 days missed per week 40%6 years

5. DOES POOR ATTENDANCE AFFECT RESULTS?

6. YR 3 Attending 90%+ Attending Below 90% Difference Average Score READING 385338- 47 Average Score NUMERACY 379352- 27 Average Score WRITING 407372- 35 -Remove After Reading – -This is actual data from an average SEI primary school. It could be strengthened if you included your own school data in here – simply average the NAPLANSE scores of the students in both attendance categories. Example from a North Metro Region Public School Comparing NAPLAN Results and the Impact of Non-Regular Attendance

7. Regional Attendance Initiative What does my child get out of attending well? According to the Report, they are more likely to:

8. 1. 1. Pursue higher education. 2. 2. Become employed for longer periods of time. 3. 3. Avoid the poverty cycle. 4. 4. Be financially independent and less likely to require government assistance when older. 5. 5. Avoid being involved in the justice system. 6. 6. Have more friends and avoid being socially isolated. 7. 7. Learn how to be a good citizen. 8. 8. Be safe and feel secure at school. 9. 9. Not be involved in illegal activity. 10. 10. Not have gaps in learning created by absence. 11. 11. Be able to read and write properly. 12. 12. Be successful in life and have high self esteem. 13. 13. Develop an ‘on the job’ work ethic that will be valued by employers later in life.

9. Regional Attendance Initiative As a parent, how can I help my child to attend well? The RAI research has found that you can:

10. 1.Model the value of education and support the importance of regular attendance. 2. Read to your child nightly, it promotes a love of reading that is fundamental to success, which will help your child to want to attend school in the future. 3. Ensure your child establishes a good attendance pattern and therefore a strong work ethic. 4. Work with the school if your child becomes reluctant to attend, in order to resolve the issue before it gets unmanageable. 5. Keep your child at home when they are genuinely sick so that they don’t affect the health and attendance of others. You can also monitor your mobile phone so that the school can contact you if your child falls ill during the day. 6. Let your child know that you don’t approve of them missing school. 7. Ensure your child has adequate materials for school, that they are rested and well fed. This heightens the chance of academic success and in turn fuels the desire for your child to be a successful learner and to want to attend well.

11. 8. Ensure your child is completing homework assignments so that they do not fall behind. 9.Seek advice from the school on how you can support my child to improve if they are under-achieving. 10. Help to develop resilience in your child by not allowing them to stay at home to avoid an issue at school. You can be firm in your expectations. 11. Be fair in helping your child to succeed. You can arrange family holidays to coincide with school holiday time. You can go to medical appointments after school, send your child to school on their birthday and discourage ‘rest days’ etc. 12. Inform the school of legitimate absence immediately so that they are aware of it, and don’t waste time pursuing absences explanations. You could get a medical certificate from the doctors. 13. Ensure that your child arrives on time and that they aren’t disorganised, flustered etc, or miss early literacy support time. 14. Take an interest in your child’s schoolwork and get as involved in the school as you can. If you value it, your child will be more likely to.

12. Does anyone else benefit from good school attendance?

13. Teachers benefit – Teachers spend less time trying to help a poor attendee to catch up. Office staff / Associate Principals / Principals benefit - They spend less time following up on absenteeism, and are able to devote more time to academic pursuits. Classmates benefit – More time is spent on them as teachers need to spend less time trying to plug gaps in student learning of poor attending students. ** Remember, regular attendance is critical for the success of your child in school. Help ensure that your child has the best opportunity for success by making sure he/she comes to school. Every single day counts. Missing School = Missing Out

14. PARENTS HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ROLE TO PLAY IN THEIR CHILD’S ATTENDANCE: WITH THE EXCEPTION OF LEGITIMATE ILLNESS (WHICH THE SCHOOL UNDERSTANDS) PLEASE COMMIT TO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD TO ATTEND WELL. MISSING SCHOOL = MISSING OUT