Attendance Why Does It Matter?

What We Will Learn Why does attendance matter When are absences a problem What you can do about your child’s attendance

Why Does Attendance Matter? Attending school is essential for students to learn the academic and social skills they need to succeed.

When are Absences a Problem? Chronic Absence is defined at 18 days a year or just 2 days a month. Warning Signs are defined as missing 10-17 days a year. Satisfactory attendance is 9 or fewer absences in a school year.

Being late to school can lead to poor attendance. Why Does Attendance Matter? Being late to school can lead to poor attendance. Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.

Why Does Attendance Matter? Students who miss as little as 2 days a month are at risk of not graduating from high school. Students who have good grades in elementary school can quickly fall off course if they miss classes in middle or high school. Students cannot make up for too many absences with “take home” assignments.

Why Does Attendance Matter? By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school. Each week of absence per semester in the 9th grade lowers the likelihood of graduating by 25%.

Why Does Attendance Matter? Absenteeism contributes to high school dropout, leaving students without the skills needed to compete in the workforce. Regular school attendance helps your child learn the “soft skills” that his or her future employer will expect and require.

Activity: Divide into groups of 2 or 3 and discuss these questions for a few minutes: What are some of the obstacles parents face in getting their pre-teen or teen to attend school every day? What are some ways that parents can overcome these obstacles? How can you help other parents overcome these obstacles?

Report out and Sharing: Activity: Report out and Sharing: What are some of the obstacles that your group identified that parents face in getting their children to attend school every day? What are some things that you identified that parents can do to overcome these obstacles? And, did you identify anything you can do to help other parents overcome these obstacles?

What You Can Do Help your child stick to daily routines Finishing homework Getting a good night’s sleep Schedule appointments (doctors, dentists, etc.) for after school hours as much as possible

What You Can Do Plan vacations for school holidays and summer time Talk to your child about school Does he/she feel safe? Welcome? Is your child having behavioral issues or problems with school discipline policies? Is your child struggling in one or more classes? Ask for help from teachers if so.

What You Can Do Don’t let your child stay home unless he or she is truly sick. If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to his or her teachers, school counselors and others about how to make him/her feel more comfortable and excited about learning.

What You Can Do What are your hopes and dreams for your child? Being in school every day is the best way to help your child do well in school, graduate, and be ready to work or go on to college!

Video: Magic Johnson on Chronic Absence https://youtu.be/C24aoX7U-d8

Credits www.AttendanceWorks.org

Chronic absence can be significantly reduced when schools, families and community partners work together! Make the most of your child’s educational opportunities by encouraging your child to attend every day!

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