GOOD ATTENDANCE When a student misses a day or two or three in school, they are missing vital information. There are components of each lesson that is linked and leads to the next lesson. Missing that component can stunt your child’s knowledge and growth. MathEnglishScienceMusic, Art, PE, Health

Good Attendance There is a relationship between attendance and achievement. Chronic absences, whether excused or unexcused, can reduce even the best teacher’s ability to provide learning opportunities for your student.

What are some of the causes of absences? SCHOOL CLIMATE Students that do not have relationships with staff or other students, tend to feel out of place in the school environment. Students sometimes may not feel challenged if high expectations are not set for them in the school environment. Student’s may feel bullied and unsafe. Pellerin (2000) Relationships Safety

DEMOGRAPHICS What are some of the causes of absences? MALES LOW INCOME NO HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION  Truancy is higher among males than females.  Truancy is higher among low income families.  Truancy is higher in families where there is only one parent.  Truancy is higher in families where the parent(s) do not have a high school diploma. SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES Baker, et al, 2001, Corvill-Smith, Ryan, Adams, & Dalicundra 1998

What are some of the causes of absences? Unavoidable and Excused There are some absences that the State of North Carolina will acknowledge as excused absences or lawful absences. When a student is absent for these reasons, a note is needed from the parent to document the absence. The absence can not be excused without that documentation. Sickness/Medical Appointments Court

What are the barriers to attendance?  Choosing the wrong friends can lead to other issues such as drug/substance use, unwillingness to respect authority, and can often causes the student to get behind in school.  Being unable to relate to people around them because of language barriers or cultural barriers and they choose to not attend school.  Prior retentions that places the student with other students not in their age group.  Problems at home such as domestic violence, poverty, unemployment Barriers FriendsBullyingLanguageDrugs/Alcohol Unable to relate Conflict at Home

What does the law say?  Every parent, guardian or custodian having charge or control of a child under age seven who is enrolled in a public school in grades kindergarten through two shall also cause the child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time which the public school to which the child is assigned shall be in session unless the child has withdrawn from school.  N.C. Gen. Stat. Sec. 115C-378(a).

What does the law say? (Continued)  No person shall encourage, entice or counsel any child of compulsory attendance age to be unlawfully absent from school.  N.C. Gen. Stat. Sec. 15c-378(b).

What does the law say? (Continued)  The parent, guardian, or custodian of a child shall notify the school of the reason for each known absence of the child, in accordance with local school board policy.  N.C. Gen. Stat. Sec. 115C-378(b).

Consequences-continued Predictions are that chronic absences often leads to negative behaviors such as: Drug Use Suspensions Teen Pregnancy Sneaking out of the home without permission. Skipping School Higher Crime among teens. (Bryant & Zimmerman 2002)

Consequences-continued Drop Out rates increase when absences are high. Less students end up graduating if the attendance issues are not addressed.

Consequences-continued Chronic absenteeism has a Social Impact in that students begin to believe that education is not important. Less education impacts the workforce.

Consequences-continued  Lower salaries for those who are truant. (Baker, 2001)  Many low paying jobs have been sent to other countries. Therefore, jobs that use to be available to drop outs are no longer available.  Again, businesses lose out because of youth who “hang out” and/or commit offenses during the day and such businesses often make decisions to not create jobs in such areas.

In Conclusion When looking at young children that have had chronic absenteeism beginning in kindergarten, they end up with negative outcomes in first grade and in the years to follow. They are also lower achievers in math, reading and general knowledge.

In Conclusion Lack of commitment in school attendance often leads to other risk. Strong commitment from the student and the parent can be a protective factor against some of these risky behaviors among youth.

In Conclusion Remember: School attendance is important and it teaches your child values that will be reflected in all they do in the years to come. Support them and help them be in school every day.

From the Social Worker Kimberly Chavis For more information: Call and schedule a meeting to discuss any attendance questions you may have. A link concerning NC Compulsory Law is provided on Prospect School web site under Classroom Websites Attendance letters will go out to the parents on the first and third week of each month. Look for other resources on the School Social Worker web page.