The Importance of Regular School Attendance

Intensive Support and Innovation Center - PACEDr. Kevin Baker, PACE Administrator

Enriqueta Cabrera, Parent Educator Coach

Estevan Leyva, Parent Educator Coach

Dr. Rosa Prado. Parent Educator Coach

Violeta Ruiz, Parent Educator Coach

Evelyn Larios, VISTA

Felipe Nievez, VISTA

Objectives1. Define Attendance

2. Discuss the Importance of School Attendance

3. Review LAUSD’s Attendance Goal and Data

4. Explain the Benefits of Regular School Attendance: Short Term and Long Term

5. Examine the Reasons “Why Students are Missing School”

6. Discuss Ways in Which Parents Can Support

Attendance defined by the Merriam Webster

Dictionary

Attendance:

1.The act of being present at a place

2.A record of how often a person goes to classes, meetings, etc.

3.The number of people present at an event, meeting, etc.

Why is attendance important?

In order for a child to learn, he/she must be present and on time in class (critical 1st step).

Learning is very systematic in most subject areas such as math and science. This means that today’s lesson depends on understanding yesterday’s instruction.

Excessive absenteeism not only affects current school year performance but also future achievement.

Poor attendance allows students the time to engage in negative activities.

Absenteeism leads to increased school drop out rates.

Funding is based on student attendance.

Importance of Regular School Attendance

Adapted From:The Importance of Being in School: A Report on Absenteeism in the Nation’s Public Schools

LAUSD’s Attendance

Goal

96-100%

in-seat attendance

Importance of Regular School Attendance

Attendance Data for [school name]

[insert school attendance data]

From MyData

Reporting Absences

[Insert school’s absences procedures]

Academic success begins with good attendance!

Benefits of Regular School Attendance

Short Term:

Students will do better in school; better grades in report card and higher scores in assessments

Students will be less likely to need intervention classes

Students will be more likely to have higher self esteem; more friends and participate in school activities

Students will have a better chance to graduate on time

Students will be more likely to complete college preparation courses

From LAUSD Pupil Services webpage

Benefits of Regular School Attendance

Long Term:

A high school graduate will earn about $300,000 more than a high school dropout over a lifetime

A college graduate will earn about $1,000,000 more than a high school dropout over a lifetime

From LAUSD Pupil Services webpage

Why are students missing instruction?

Research shows three reasons students miss

class

Cannot go to school

Will not go to school

Do not go to school

Adapted From:The Importance of Being in School: A Report on Absenteeism in the Nation’s Public Schools

Cannot go to SchoolIllness; annual colds, flu, other childhood

ailments or acute conditions and few chronic conditions

Housing instability; homelessness, movement between foster care placements, and temporary dislocation associated with home foreclosure or inability to pay rent

For adolescents, family obligations may keep them away from school

Will not go to SchoolAvoid an unpleasant situation

An assignment was not completed

Avoid harassment, bullying, and unsafe situations on the way to and from school

Avoid real and perceived embarrassment

Lack of appropriate clothing

Do Not go to SchoolChoose not to attend possibly due to:

• Students may not find school engaging

• They don’t see the role school can play

• There may not be enough mentoring or structure in their lives

3-Tiered Approach to 3-Tiered Approach to AttendanceAttendance

Adapted from Sprague & Walker, 2004

Strategy: Individual student & family intervention

Strategy: Classroom, family & small group strategies

Strategy: Incentive programs

Schools have support systems for parents and

students

What can parents do ?

Tips for Parents: Discuss with your children the importance of going to

school every day and on time

Get your child to school on time

Develop a daily schedule and stick to it

Encourage and help your child prepare for school each evening

Don’t plan family vacations and non-emergency doctor/dentist appointments for times when your child should be in school

From LAUSD Count Me In! Student Attendance Initiative

ELAC Recommendations

Based on the information shared today, what recommendations can be made to improve our attendance rates?

Despite any school reform; teaching

practices, intervention, standards and/or

program changes won’t work if students are

not in class.

Review of Objectives1. Define Attendance

2. Discuss the Importance of Attendance

3. Review LAUSD’s Attendance Goal and Data

4. Explain the Benefits of Regular School

Attendance: Short Term and Long Term

5. Examine the Reasons “Why Students are Missing School”

6. Discuss Ways in Which Parents Can Support

Questions or Concerns?

Reflection

Please take a moment and complete the reflection form.

We appreciate your participation!!!

Thank You