School Attendance throughout the school year can be a major problem. It’s best to emphasize attendance on the first day. Teachers must stress to students and parents that daily attendance sets a tone for academic success. Classroom routines are formed in the first few weeks, and new friendships are made. Daily attendance helps maintain and solidify routines and friendships. Teachers set guidelines and introduce topics of study in the first weeks of classes. When students begin to miss school, routines are broken, and they have a difficult time catching up. Friendships that were formed begin to break apart.
Stress attendance at the beginning of the new school year because it establishes expectations. Regular communication about the importance of school sets a foundation for lifelong learning. It also lets students understand the results of chronic absenteeism, including academic failures, and social and emotional issues.
Student outcomes and goals are determined as students attend school regularly. The Department of Education predicts dropout rates by student attendance. Chronic absenteeism is considered 10% of the school year. This is based on three categories.
- A written excuse for not attending school. An excuse for missing school must be written by a parent, guardian, or doctor.
- An absence without a valid reason, such as oversleeping, a missed bus, or whatever the school’s policy states.
- A disciplinary reason, such as a suspension.
Many programs claim to improve school attendance. They are led by the school principal, a team of teachers, counselors, and stakeholders, to help students stay in the classroom.
School Attendance Issues
Many factors contribute to poor school attendance. Such factors include health problems, bullying, and homelessness. Students with disabilities also contribute to the absenteeism in schools. According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, students with learning issues are 1.4 times likely to have absentee problems than other students.
Mental health, anxiety, and depression contribute to students not attending school. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America states, ” as many as 2.8 million children aged 12 to 17 in the US have at least one major depressive episode in a year. Approximately 80 percent of children with an anxiety disorder and 60 percent with depression are not treated.
Educators must work with parents to improve student attendance. The result ensures a quality education through daily attendance. There is no one-size-fits-all reason or solution for chronic absenteeism. The school as a community must contribute to addressing the problem. They must do their best, through counselors, nurses, and programs, to ensure that all students receive a complete and effective education.
