By LAURA HAMMACK, guest columnist
School attendance matters.
This statement might appear to be a no-brainer; however, there is strong research to support the notion.
Attendance in school matters and we are, unfortunately, concerned about our attendance data.
On the surface, our school district attendance rate appears normal in comparison to the state average. Historically, we vary between a 95 percent and 96 percent attendance rate. This aligns with the state average rate of 95 percent.
The unfortunate problem is that there is a smaller percentage of students who contribute to most of our attendance concerns. For some, the amount of school that is being missed is significant.
In school year 2017-2018, our official student enrollment count was 1,878 students. During that school year, we had 475 students (25 percent) miss at least 10 days of school for excused and non-excused reasons. Of that 25 percent, we had 97 students miss at least 20 days of school.
Clearly, we understand that excused absences from school most often happen for reasons that are beyond the control of the student or parent/caregiver. Excused absences from school are most commonly for reasons of illness. We don’t ever want students to come to school when they are ill and understand that there will be days that are unavoidable for absence. However, even for students with excused absences, it is very difficult to catch up from not being in class.
We have significant concerns for students who miss school due to unexcused absences. During school year 2017-2018, we had 111 students (17 percent) miss at least 10 days of school for unexcused reasons. Of even more concern, 18 students in that group missed 20 or more days of school for unexcused reasons.
Twenty days of school translates into four weeks of missed school. I am sure you can imagine how difficult it is to catch up from missed days of this size.
The Center for Evaluation and Education Policy (CEEP) at Indiana University published a sobering research study called “Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism in Indiana: The Impact on Student Achievement,” where the authors presented findings that were clear.
First, they indicated, “Attendance is a key factor in promoting academic achievement for students of all ages and demographic backgrounds.” Their data shows that ISTEP+ scores and graduation rates are both lower when attendance rates are low.
Second, they found, “Problematic attendance in Indiana is associated with higher levels of poverty.” To support that statement, the data were clear indicating that for students who receive free and reduced lunches, there was a higher rate of absenteeism. Consequently, chronically absent students who receive free and reduced lunches also have lower ISTEP+ scores.
Our administrative team has been working together to analyze the data regarding our students who are chronically absent. Research from the study indicated above concluded, understandably, that “Chronic absence can be reduced when schools, communities and families work together to build a culture of attendance and remove barriers to school attendance.”
In order to build this culture, the researchers recommend that we need to carefully monitor our attendance, establish attendance goals, provide attendance incentives, and communicate with parents and families about the importance of attendance.
Additionally, the research strongly suggests that it is important for the schools to reach out to community partners to support our efforts. We are extremely thankful to our Brown County Prosecutor, Ted Adams, who has supported the schools with interventions from his office when attendance issues have become a significant concern. There are many community partners who have worked with us to address this issue and we are so grateful.
The unfortunate reality is that we still have a lot more work to do.
We are committed to this work. Our administrative team is fresh from a strategy session where we dove into our attendance data from the prior year and had discussions regarding situations of concern. We are now sharing attendance data between schools so that students realize interventions earlier.
The work of communicating the importance of being in school is led in unique ways across our school corporation. From Mr. Stark’s “Be Present” campaign at Brown County High School, to Mrs. Bruner’s attendance bike giveaway at Helmsburg Elementary School, our school leaders are looking for ways to incentive attendance and make it known that attendance is important.
I am very open to ideas/suggestions/criticisms regarding our attendance procedures. If you have feedback, please contact me.
We know that school attendance matters. Let’s work together to make sure all of our boys and girls are present and ready to learn.
Laura Hammack is superintendent of Brown County schools. She can be reached at 812-988-6655 or [email protected].
