EDEL-635Group #3

Sallie Moss, Sherry Greer, Ryan Walker, Gabe Long

Student Issues – Attendance

Background of Compulsory Attendance in USA

1852 MA has first compulsory attendance law 6-14 years old 3 mos. per year with 6 consecutive weeks $20 fine

State laws evolved from this By 1918 all states had compulsory

attendance laws

Compulsory Attendance by State

Longest: 14 years 5-18 years old - VA, OK, NM

Shortest: 9 years 8-17 years old – PA 7-16 years old – 12 states (AL, AK, CT, ID, IL,

IN, MO, MT, NE, NC, ND, VT) Most Popular: 6-16 years old

13 states (AZ, GA, IA, KY, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, RI, SD, WV, WY)

4 other states had 11 year laws (7-17, 8-18)

Starting & Ending Ages

0

5

10

15

20

25

5 Years 6 Years 7 Years 8 Years

Starting

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

16Years

17Years

18Years

Ending

Years Required to Attend School by State

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

10 Years 11 Years 12 Years 13 Years 14 Years

Years

National Issue/Perspective National Data: According to an analysis of the 2004 Schools and

Staffing Survey by the Center for Public Education, 45 percent of teachers report that student absenteeism is a moderate or serious problem

Virginia = 44% Tennessee = 41% North Carolina = 46% West Virginia = 48% Between the years 1985 and 1998 there was a national increase of 67

percent in status offense cases involving truancy. This represents a 58 percent increase in the rate of truancy cases. Truancy cases comprised 29 percent of all status offense cases (Butts, et. al., 1996). While there is not an abundance of national truancy data, some metropolitan areas report thousands of unexcused absences each day.

State Issue/Perspective Improving School Attendance: A Resource Guide for Virginia Schools is intended to serve as an

informational resource for Virginia schools in their efforts to improve school attendance and to intervene with students who attend irregularly.

Things A School Can Do to Improve Attendance From the VDOE: Make students and parents/guardians feel welcome. Make a point to say “hello” to every

parent/guardian or student you see in the halls and outside--make it your business to know his or her names.

Create an environment that enables students to feel successful in something—no matter how small it may seem. Award academic and attendance “letters,” as you do for athletics.

When a student is absent, immediately talk to the parent/guardian — not their answering machine. Make a personal phone call in the evening, or call parents/guardians at work during the day.

When a student is absent, immediately talk with the student about why he or she was not at school—let students know you are aware…and that you care that they are at school.

Reward and recognize good attendance—not just perfect attendance. Post large signs giving the daily attendance for the day. Reward individuals, classes, and the school for increased attendance.

Regional Issue/Perspective

Excused days for hunting Smyth County Schools allows excused

absences during the Fall for students to go deer hunting

Can not have more than 9 days absent to be excused

Interview with a …

Marion Senior High School Administrator:

Mr. Troy PollardSmyth County Director of Curriculum and Instruction:

Mr. Kyle RhodesJuvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Judge:

Honorable Charles F. Lincoln

Procedure for Attendance Violations

Meet with parent after 5 unexcused absences Meet with parent to sign Attendance Agreement

after 6 unexcused absences. Refer student to Truancy Officer for a meeting with

Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) after 7 unexcused absences. Referral to 28th District Court Service Unit for court

intervention. Issue petition to the Juvenile and Domestic Relations

District Court

The Chain of Events

Putting Policy to work

What has improved attendance rates:

____________________ Teacher incentives Wal-Mart Card drawing every grading period Use of SASI/Excel Persistence!!!

Policy in Action

Obstacles that stands in the way:

____________________ Lack of support at home Bullying Medical issues Unmotivated

Other Academic Indicators Required Under NCLB

Other Academic Indicators Required Under NCLB

High schools and other schools with a graduating class use the following as the other academic indicator:

Graduation

The last straw

Federal Voice – Case Law

Pierce v. Society of Sisters – 268 U.S. 510 Private schools satisfy compulsory attendance

Wisconsin v. Yoder – 406 U.S. 205 Religious beliefs can cause exception to

compulsory attendance Opens way for homeschooling

Lum v. Rice – 275 U.S. 78 Discrimination upheld, no school for Chinese

Exceptions to Compulsory Attendance Policy

Parents may have such child taught by a tutor or teacher with qualifications prescribed by the Board of Education and approved by the division superintendent.

Home instruction of such child must be approved by the school division in the county where the child resides

Any pupil who, together with his parents, by reason of bona fide religious training or belief is conscientiously opposed to attendance at school.

VA State Code section 22.1-254.1

History of compulsory attendance

Virginia’s first compulsory attendance law was established in 1908.

Required all students ages 5-18 to attend school.

Department of Education, National Center for Educational Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics, 2004.

State Voice- Code of Virginia

§ 22.1-254. Compulsory attendance required; excuses and waivers; alternative education program attendance; exemptions from article

State Voice-Superintendent’s Memo http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/suptsmemos/1999/inf185.html *Requires a conference to be scheduled within ten school

days, after the pupil accumulates six absences in the school year, to resolve issues related to the pupil's nonattendance.

*Empowers attendance officers to enforce these new provisions by making a complaint with the juvenile and domestic relations court, alleging the student is a child in need of supervision or instituting proceedings against the parent relating to violations of the compulsory school attendance law (18.2-371 or 22.1-262), when the child has accumulated seven absences in the school year. Directs principals to report annually to the division superintendent the number of pupils by grade level for whom a conference between the pupil, the pupil's parent and school personnel has been scheduled.

State Voice: Superintendents Memos

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/suptsmemos/1999/inf158.html

This provision authorizes local school boards to waive compulsory attendance requirements for students who are age 16 and older if they meet certain conditions. (GED)

State Voice- Superintendent’s Memo http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/suptsmemos/1996/inf123.html Virginia's welfare reform initiative includes a component  known as "Learnfare" -- tying welfare payments to the school  attendance of school age children (under the age of 18) in  the assistance unit.  The number of unexplained absences that trigger intervention

was changed from five consecutive days absent to three consecutive school days absent or five school days absent per month or seven school days absent per calendar quarter. The role of the attendance officer was clarified  related to (1) checking school census and other reports to prepare a list of students not enrolled and (2) filing a complaint before the juvenile and domestic relations district court.  The penalty for noncompliance with compulsory school attendance requirements was increased.

State Voice-Superintendent’s Memo

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/suptsmemos/2004/adm046.html

The Consolidated State Application Accountability Workbook under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 was amended in May, 2004, to allow school divisions to choose either the attendance rate or performance on the science Standards of Learning assessments as the “other academic indicator” of adequate yearly progress (AYP) for elementary and middle schools.

Local Policy-Smyth County Public Schools Should a student accumulate five (5) unexcused absences, the principal or his/her designee will

meet with the student and send a letter to the parent or guardian .

If the student continues to be absent from school for six (6) unexcused absences, the principal or his/her designee will schedule a meeting with the student and parent/guardian to develop a written plan to resolve the student's non-attendance and actions to be taken.

After seven (7) unexcused absences the case will be transferred to the Attendance Officer. The parent/guardian and the student will be required to meet with the Smyth County Interdisciplinary Team for recommendations to avoid future absences and court involvement. Failure to meet with this team will result in the matter being referred to the 28th District Court Service Unit for court intervention. The Interdisciplinary Team is a requirement of the Code of Virginia and is made up of members from community agencies that work with youth.

When a high school student has been absent from school a total of nine (9) days unexcused for any reason including suspensions, the student will take a two (2) point deduction for every additional absence that is unexcused. Students are encouraged to make up the time lost per class in an effort to earn back points. Make-up sessions must be arranged with an administrator prior to the make-up session. The student will arrange for appropriate work assigned by teachers of classes that were missed and work under the supervision of the appropriate school personnel. The make-up sessions will be the length of time missed during the absence per class period.

School Attendance Flag

Wythe County Attendance

Same general policies as established by VSBA to follow state laws and regulations

Local Attendance Policy Establishes responsibilities for students, teachers,

parents, administrators, attendance record keepers

Sets outline for administration of policy Defines attendance awards

WCPS Plan (JED-W)

Focus on repeat offenders (20+ yearly) Absences, tardies, and check-outs all factors Steps when unverified patterns noticed

5 days: Contact Parents/families 6 days: Schedule conferences with Truancy Team 7 days: Refer for legal action

Awards Perfect: 0 absences, tardies, check-outs Exceptional: <3 absences, tardies, check-outs Outstanding: <6 absences, tardies, check-outs

Q&A (A) How will “your problem” impact your work as new school Leaders?

Q&A (B) Which ISSLC’s can help you improve the issues associated with “your problem” and why?

Q&A (C) How can technology help decrease loss of class time due to attendance issue?

Q&A (D) How can administrators help reduce the interruption of instruction due to attendance issues?

Involving all stakeholders. Positive school-wide programs Students should be involved in establishing a school wide

incentive plan that encourages perfect attendance. All stakeholders should be involved in establishing guidelines

and consequences for excessive absences. Parents should be made aware of the importance of good

attendance. We should develop strong relationships with local businesses

that can support our efforts through providing rewards for students (Wal-Mart gift cards, McDonald’s treats, free game passes, etc.)

Ultimately, it is important that whatever plan is established be followed and reviewed frequently and revised as needed.

Q&A (E) How will you communicate to all stakeholders “your problem” and your recommendations?

Attendance issues, goals and progress reports can be communicated to all stakeholders through the use of: Community blogs Email School websites Phone calls PTA meetings

Compulsory Attendance Around the World Japan: 6-15 years old, then junior college or

university China: 9 years compulsory, then 3 years senior

secondary education Germany: 6-15 years old, then tracks Finland/Sweden: 7-16 years old, then vocational or

general England: 6-15 years old, then academic or

vocational training Australia: 6-15 years old, secondary education

offered South Africa: 7-15 years old

Research www.oyez.org Case Law research http://www.nd.edu/~rbarger/www7/compulso.html history of compulsory

attendance http://www.newswithviews.com/Turtel/joel17.htm Interesting article and

viewpoint http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d02/dt150.asp chart on state’s

compulsory attendance laws http://www.ed.gov/offices/OUS/PES/int_edworld.html info on education

systems around the world http://wythe.k12.va.us/index_Page1490.htm WCPS Policy Manuals http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/training/truancy/

problem_pg3.html info on identifying and handling truancy - see all 3 parts

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ai/cw/attendstrategy.asp alternative solutions

Bibliography of Articles

Center for Public Education. (2008, May 1). District and school climate: Is student attendance an issue? Retrieved June 5, 2009, from The Center for Public Education Web site: http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/

Provasnik, S. (2002, May). National Center for Educational Statistics. Retrieved June 10, 2009, from Digest of Education Statistics: http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d02/dt150.asp

Smyth County Schools, VA. (2008, August 1). Chapter 7 Attendance. Retrieved June 5, 2009, from Smyth County Schools: www.scsb.org

VDOE. (2005, August 1). Improving School Attendance: A resource guide for VA schools. Retrieved June 5, 2009, from VDOE: www.vdoe.com