We are paying a lot of attention to our attendance and grade data right now.
Our attendance data indicates that many more students are missing class this year than they did prior to COVID. School attendance is critical now more than ever, particularly as we look to regain the loses sustained as a result of COVID. On average, our absence rate is about 5.6% higher than in 2019-20 and 4.25% higher than in 2018-19. This equates to 68-90 more students who are absent each day than we typically see. Some increase in absences makes sense - as students have been out ill (particularly in January and February) or on quarantine this year and we know that may be unique to COVID.
Absences are particularly worrisome because our D & F rates in classes rose from 11.86% in semester 1 of 19/20 to 20.92% in semester 1 of 20/21 and they fell every so slightly in in semester 1 of 21/22 to 20.31%. But it's too much...passing classes is ESSENTIAL for students to be able to graduate!
These metrics are connected. One key factor to improving grades is improving attendance and engagement/participation in the classroom. Attendance at school is REALLY important. Students who are chronically absent (have 2 or more absences a month) tend to be 7.4 times more likely to drop out of high school. Students who are chronically absent in high school have an 11% chance of receiving any degree post high school. That information is based on research on attendance from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP/the Nation's Report Card) that was completed in high schools across the nation.
Often we hear from students that they are anxious about going to class because they don't know what to do, and that is a real fear. But the solution is three parts 1. to contact your teacher/counselor/AP to get supports for that anxiety 2. to access resources (your teacher, tutoring, etc...) to help with getting caught up, and 3. attend class consistently. Continuing to skip class further perpetuates the problem of feeling behind or anxious.
Each day you receive notification if your child has an unexcused absence. You can also look at your child's absence data in PowerSchool. Talk with your student about their attendance, particularly if they are regularly tardy to class or have absences/cuts. Help them see that their attendance has a direct impact on their educational and financial earning opportunities. Grade data is available in Schoology for you and your student to monitor regularly. Encourage your student to make every day count.
Let your counselor or Assistant Principal know if you need help to get your student to school or if need support with academic success. It is the parent's legal obligation to get a student to school, but we are here to help and support you and your student!
