Obviously getting a proper education is important for our children’s future. What's less obvious is that low attendance in any school has serious consequences for students and their future success. Most parents want their children to be successful in life and according to statistics getting a good education is a key ingredient and this begins with school attendance.

School attendance is important because students are more likely to succeed in academics when they attend school consistently. It's difficult for the teacher and the class to build necessary skills and progress if a large number of students are frequently absent from class. It is even more difficult for students who miss because usually they end up falling behind in their academic classes. Also, students who are not in school on a regular basis are more likely to get into trouble with the law and cause problems in their communities.

Students are also more likely to drop out of school if they have poor attendance. A 2008 study conducted by Arizona State University that tracked students from kindergarten through high school found that dropout patterns were linked with poor attendance, beginning in kindergarten. Gregory Hickman, former director of the Arizona Dropout Initiative, notes they discovered that as early as kindergarten, behavioral differences are apparent between those who go on to graduate and those who drop out, with dropouts missing an average of 124 days by eighth grade. How many days has your child missed lately?

Bad attendance also affects our school's budget. Our school's budget is based on average daily measure and this number comes from student attendance. If a lot of our students fail to consistently attend, the school will have less money to pay for essential classroom needs including important technology, extracurricular programs and teacher units.

School attendance is important because...

· By not coming to school, students diminish the value of their education

· The benefits of regular classroom instruction is lost when students miss class

· Students who miss may not develop the responsibility, self-discipline & effective work skills that are taught in the classroom

· Not having several students in class, may restrict the learning of others and can cost the school system money

· A decrease in attendance effects the performance data of the school

· Students who attend school 85%-100% of the time pass state tests in reading and math at much higher rates

· If students fall behind and are continuously struggling to catch up, this may diminish their confidence and attitude toward learning and prevent them from graduating and attending college

· Not coming to school and being truant results in higher crime rates

Parents can help by...

· Knowing that school attendance is a parent and student responsibility

· Starting the habits of a regular school day at an early age and staying interested in what your child is doing in school

· Trying to stay involved in the school by attending meetings, field trips, etc. when possible

· Keeping in touch with who your child’s friends are and their interests

· Droping your child off at school and picking them up afterwards when possible

· Making a contract with the child to improve their attendance rate

· Making sure your child understands that you do not approve of them being late or absent

· Helping your child to understand the state’s and school’s attendance policies

· Contacting the school to ask for help/suggestions and to check on your child’s attendance

· Keeping a school calendar on the refrigerator at home so that you know when your child does and does not have school

· Not allowing your child to persuade you into making an excuse for him/her to miss school

· Talking to your child about issues that may be making them late for school

· Rewarding good behavior and taking it one day at a time

Please help us and your school by making sure that your children are attending school regularly and consistently. 

If you have questions please contact Roger Satcher at 205-486-3122 or Bill Bishop at 205-486-9481.