A national analysis shows a direct correlation between low school test scores and high absenteeism.
The more days missed before the examination, the lower the score, according to an analysis of the National Assessment of Education Progress test that matched the number of days absent with test scores on the NAEP exam taken by children nationwide.
The analysis was done by Attendance Works!, a national nonprofit dedicated to improving policy and practice around school attendance.
The Oakland County Task Force on Truancy has been aware of this issue and is putting its focus this school year on helping districts in their efforts in prevention before a child’s missed days reaches 10, said task force spokeswoman Carolyn Claerhout, manager of pupil, corporate and district Services for Oakland Schools.
This means excused as well as non excused, said Claerhout, because no matter the reason, the day missed can hurt the child’s achievement.
In Oakland County, if a child misses 20 to 25 days of school, the case is turned over to the task force. If efforts fail there to help families deal with barriers to attendance, the task force turns the case over the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. Finally, the case could end up in Circuit Court Juvenile Division, said Claerhout.
However, she said the task force, that includes representatives of school districts in each area of the county, child advocacy organizations and the Prosecutor’s Office, would like to see children’s attendance improved long before it gets to the point of turning them over to the legal system.
The task force is recommending Oakland districts use resources, tips and programs of Attendance Works!. Toward that goal, the task force invited Hedy Chang, director of Attendance Works, to be keynote at its annual conference Thursday, Sept. 11 at Oakland Schools. Representatives all 28 county school districts and charter schools were among those that make up the near-200 participants.
“Whether the absences are excused or unexcused, missing too much school can leave third-graders unable to read proficiently, sixth-graders failing classes and ninth-graders headed toward dropping out,” said Chang.
“Our best efforts to improve student achievement and fix failing schools won’t work if the students aren’t coming to class.
The motto for the task force is: “Attendance + attachment = achievement,” said Claerhout.
A child’s attachment to his or her school is the most important factor in good attendance, she said. While many children are easily attached because of sports or other activities, some children just don’t feel like they belong. One thing that has proved to make a major difference is “just one caring adult,” Claerhout said.
That is a person at the school who always says hello to the child by name, who asks how they are doing, and praises improvements.
Clarkston Superintendent Rod Rock agrees that attachment is important.
“It is essential for children to feel emotionally connected to school and learning. Students must understand how content relates to them. Relationships really matter. We mentor and coach students whenever possible. We work hard to get kids involved in school related activities. We do everything we can to monitor absenteeism and promote attendance,” Rock said.
Waterford school district started the ball rolling on a new strategy to improve attendance last school year, said Claerhout.
Chloe Silm, director of Waterford Success Project, and Rhonda Lessel, district relations director, created a logo with the motto “Every Day Counts.” It is on every piece of information, newsletter and email coming from the Success Project office.
As one example of the effort, last school year Silm launched an awareness campaign in which she sent out an email to parents every month on some aspect of attendance, how it helps a child, district policies and facts from studies. That campaign will continue this year.
“Whenever I send out a monthly email, I can guarantee there will be questions from parents,” Silm said. “And that is what we want.”
The message that Every Day Counts is also included in every newsletter as well, she said.
The Oakland County task force has four truant officers to cover the county. Two cover almost 20 districts between them; and a part time officer covers the northernmost part of the county. Pontiac schools has its own truant officer because it contracted to pay half the cost after a special grant for a three-year Pontiac absenteeism program expired.
