Importance of School Attendance and Being to School On Time
June 02, 2011
At the conclusion of first semester, 15% of the students had exceeded their allowed absences ("Any high school student who reaches 10 period absences, for any reason, within a semester, will lose credit for that class unless the absences are caused by what the staff and administration consider extenuating circumstances." pg. 20, SDA Student Handbook.) Translating this statistic to the working world, that would be a full-time employee missing 39 days of work - clearly making it difficult to maintain employment. Attendance and being on time are problems that are not exclusive to Syracuse. Schools overall report that student attendance and tardiness are major problems. Research indicates that students who are chronically late or absent to school are more likely to drop out of high school. Additionally, these students fall increasingly behind due to missed instruction that forms the foundation of their learning. Students who are chronically late also disrupt instruction that has already begun in their classes, interfering with the learning of their peers as well. Finally, this behavioral pattern is carried with these students into the work world as indicated by employers who report similar problems with their employees.
The Nebraska State Department of Education requires all public and nonpublic schools to submit Excessive Absenteeism information on a monthly basis. This data is in turn reported to the Truancy Task Force for study and evaluation. This is a report of ALL absences with the exception of school activities. This has become a part of Nebraska School Law through the revision of PL 79-527. Additionally, this law requires all students who are absent more than 20 school days be referred to the Otoe County Attorney for failure to attend.
It is very important that parents reinforce the importance of good attendance and being on time. These are life skills that will improve their child's academic achievement and develop behavioral patterns of responsibility and discipline.
