Impact to School Function
What happens to the instruction in the classroom if too many students are absent?
Instruction becomes delayed or disrupted in attempts to catch those up and keep the pace of the instruction consistent.
Which grade in school is likely to see the most absences?
Kindergarten
Who is responsible to ensure a child's attendance?
Students, Parents, School leaders and Community Leaders.
True or False: Attendance only matters in the later grades (like high school).
What happens to a child's social development if they miss too much school?
Lag behind peers and find it difficult to keep with with all aspects of the school and classroom community.
What are some potential consequences for students with poor attendance versus students with good attendance?
1) there are higher drop out rates
2) Poor work habits that extend beyond school and impact a person in the workforce.
3) Socially disconnected from peer group and school community.
What does it mean to be chronically absent?
Absences at or above 10% of the school year (around 18 for a school year of 180 days).
True or false: Students don’t start missing a lot of school until middle or high school.
False.
Actually, 1 in 10 kindergarten and 1st grade students miss at least a month of school each year.
When students' are chronically absent how can it impact staffing at the school?
If students miss too much school the district cannot collect money and count them as active students. It can also impact planning for staffing and class sizes.
What does the research report about students with poor attendance in kindergarten?
1) It tends to continue throughout school career with increased drop out rates.
What are some things that I can do to help minimize missing school?
Build regular routines for bed time and morning. Avoid medical appointments and family trips during school times. Develop back up plans for getting to school if a problem occurs (family member, neighbor or another parent from school).
True or false: It is okay to skip days before/after holidays or long weekends
False.
Every school day is equally important. Any day missed is another day you fall behind.
What does the research report about students with poor attendance patterns established in September?
Attendance patterns established in September tend to persist over the entire school year.
How can you notify the school of your absence?
By bringing in a handwritten note to the front office or filling out the online absence form
Chronic absenteeism includes what three kinds of absences?
excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspension days