School Attendance
September is Attendance Awareness Month, and daily school attendance is an integral part of the learning process. Educators spend countless hours analyzing student data, meeting to discuss areas of concern, and creating lessons tailored to each student’s individual needs, all while fulfilling Alabama State Department of Education requirements. School attendance, academic achievement, chronic absenteeism, and students’ attendance patterns are all fundamental components that significantly impact their future outcomes in the educational process.
When students miss school, they miss out on the foundational skills needed to make academic progress, not only in the current school year but also in future years. School attendance and academic achievement are directly connected. Missing two days of school per month may not seem significant, but over time, it adds up. Two days a month equates to twenty missed days in a school year. Over that period, a student would miss approximately thirty hours of instruction in English Language Arts and Math. While research-based digital curriculum programs can help students catch up academically, they cannot replace the expertise and instruction of a teacher. Ultimately, if a student misses twenty school days each year, they will have missed the equivalent of two full years of academics by the time they graduate.
The Alabama State Department of Education defines chronic absenteeism as missing 10% of school days, which is equivalent to eighteen or more days out of the classroom. Absences can be excused with parent notes or doctor’s excuses, but chronic absenteeism is determined by total absences, whether excused or unexcused. Chronic absenteeism is associated with lower test scores, reduced grades, and an increased likelihood of dropping out of school. Additionally, it accounts for 10% of the rating on Alabama schools’ State Report Card.
Promoting stellar school attendance can not only positively impact academic performance and overall educational success but also help develop a sense of responsibility that is crucial in college and career settings. In the workplace, employers expect punctuality, responsibility, and productivity from employees. Establishing good attendance habits in school fosters responsibility and contributes to long-term success in a career.
School attendance is the foundation of a student’s success. Students who attend school regularly achieve higher academic outcomes.
Being present today means success tomorrow.
by Chasta Breland, NBCT, EdS