EDEL-635
Group #3
Sallie Moss, Sherry Greer,
Ryan Walker, Gabe Long
Student Issues –
Attendance
Background of Compulsory
Attendance in USA
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1852 MA has first compulsory attendance law
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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
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Longest: 14 years
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Shortest: 9 years
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5-18 years old - VA, OK, NM
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
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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
25
20
15
Starting
10
30
5
25
0
5 Years 6 Years 7 Years 8 Years
20
15
Ending
10
5
0
16
Years
17
Years
18
Years
Years Required to Attend
School by State
18
16
14
12
10
Years
8
6
4
2
0
10 Years
11 Years
12 Years
13 Years
14 Years
National Issue/Perspective
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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
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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:
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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
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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 Pollard
Smyth County Director of Curriculum and Instruction:
Mr. Kyle Rhodes
Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Judge:
Honorable Charles F. Lincoln
Procedure for Attendance
Violations
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Meet with parent after 5 unexcused absences
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Meet with parent to sign Attendance Agreement
after 6 unexcused absences.
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Refer student to Truancy Officer for a meeting with
Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) after 7 unexcused
absences.
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Referral to 28th District Court Service Unit for court
intervention.
 Issue petition to the Juvenile and Domestic Relations
District Court
The Chain of Events
Teachers
Administrators
Truancy
Officer
Judge
Court
Services Unit
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
Elementary and
middle schools
select prior to
the start of the
school year one
of the following
for the other
academic
indicator:
•
•
•
•
Attendance
Science
Writing
History/Social
Science
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
A judge may find a
child in the Need of
Services or
Supervision and
may:
Issue an
interlocutory order
to order student to
attend school
Issue fines
Place the child into
appropriate care
(Foster care)
Place child on
probation
Order parent/child
to participate in
programs designed
to rehabilitate the
child
Place child in
detention center.
Federal Voice – Case Law
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Pierce v. Society of Sisters – 268 U.S. 510
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Wisconsin v. Yoder – 406 U.S. 205
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Private schools satisfy compulsory attendance
Religious beliefs can cause exception to
compulsory attendance
Opens way for homeschooling
Lum v. Rice – 275 U.S. 78
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Discrimination upheld, no school for Chinese
Exceptions to Compulsory
Attendance Policy
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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
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Virginia’s first compulsory attendance law
was established in 1908.
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Required all students ages 5-18 to attend school.
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Department of Education, National Center for Educational Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics, 2004.
State Voice- Code of Virginia
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§ 22.1-254. Compulsory attendance required;
excuses and waivers; alternative education
program attendance; exemptions from article
State VoiceSuperintendent’s Memo
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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/su
ptsmemos/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)
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State VoiceSuperintendent’s Memo
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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 VoiceSuperintendent’s Memo
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http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/suptsmemos/200
4/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 PolicySmyth County Public Schools
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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 .
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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.
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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
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Wythe County Attendance
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Same general policies as established by
VSBA to follow state laws and regulations
Local Attendance Policy
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Establishes responsibilities for students, teachers,
parents, administrators, attendance record
keepers
Sets outline for administration of policy
Defines attendance awards
WCPS Plan (JED-W)
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Focus on repeat offenders (20+ yearly)
Absences, tardies, and check-outs all factors
Steps when unverified patterns noticed
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5 days: Contact Parents/families
6 days: Schedule conferences with Truancy Team
7 days: Refer for legal action
Awards
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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?
AYP – School Accreditation
Time!!
Linked to other problems
Delinquency
Failures
suspensions/explusions
substance abuse
Daytime crime
Teen pregancy
Decreased funding due to drop outs
Q&A (B) Which ISSLC’s can help you improve the issues
associated with “your problem” and why?
ISSLC Standard #1 – As educational leaders we will have
promoted the success of each student by facilitating the
development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a
vision of learning, which will include daily attendance.
ISSLC Standard #2 – As educational leaders we will sustain a
school culture and instructional program conducive to student
learning by improving daily attendance by each student.
ISSLC Standard #4 – As educational leaders we will promote the
success of each student by collaborating with families on various
topics including daily attendance.
Q&A (C) How can technology help
decrease loss of class time due to
attendance issue?
Teacher Class
websites
Administrative
software
Automative software
for notifying students,
parents and other
relevant stakeholders
of absences at set
intervals
Q&A (D) How can administrators help
reduce the interruption of instruction due
to attendance issues?
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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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