Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 15-18 days of school for any reason.Poor attendancecan start as early as kindergarten and continue to impact achievement through high school. Research indicates that attendance is a major indicator for students eventually dropping out of school.
The Alabama State Department of Educationsupports and encourages the use of positive behavior supports, prevention and support services and innovative pathways toaddress attendanceas the major contributor for facilitating academic and behavioral success of our students.
The campaign is designed to increase understanding for educators, parents, students, and community partners of the major impact school attendance has on the success rates of our students. With local schoolspromotingAttendance Awareness Month, students and parents/guardians can become more aware of the crucial need for students to be at school, on time, every day.
For example,Alabaster City Schoolsencourage attendance with a fun challenge between schools in regards to daily attendance averages.At the September 25thfootball game, Thompson High School and Pelham High School will report their monthly daily attendance rate.The school with the highest attendance rate wins and the schools with the lowest attendance rate for the week will have three students to walk the track during halftime in the opposing school’s jersey.
AtHoover High Schoolin the Hoover City School System, students are encouraged to be part of Attendance Awareness Month using the hashtag #BUCSeveryday. To further interaction with a contest, staff encourages students to come up with a creative message to show why attendance matters. Winners receive a select invitation to a homecoming party for first place and gift cards for second and third places.
#schooleveryday