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SALT LAKE CITY — Are educators looking at school absenteeism in the wrong way? A recent report says 15 percent of children are chronically absent. How are school districts in Utah trying to combat this?
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say most schools nationwide look at absenteeism the wrong way, requiring districts and states to measure average daily attendance rates but not focusing on the relatively small number of students who account for most absences.
The anti-truancy measures that have been around for years seem to be most effective in Utah. Granite School District spokesman Ben Horsley says they have to take action after a child has five unexcused absences.
Related:
'No Empty Desks' campaign combats truancy
NEST stands for "No Empty Seats Today," and schools across Salt Lake County are putting a big emphasis on the link between attendance and success."At that point in time, that student's parents receive notification via mail. That typically resolves about 70 percent of the truancy for those students," he said.
If that doesn't work, they'll ask the parents to talk with administrators after seven unexcused absences. Horsley says that normally resolves 70 percent of the remaining problem cases. After 10 unexcused absences, a date is set in truancy court, and the parents may have to face the consequences.
"There are fines and other repercussions for the parents," Horsley said.
He says many parents whose children are chronically truant don't realize how serious the problem has become until they speak with administrators about it.
These truancy rules apply to everyone, even to the children who seem to be doing well in their studies. Horsley says they can't give seemingly good students any leeway.
"State law says that students must be in school for 180 days a year and for so many hours a year. We're required per state law to ensure that those students receive a quality, free education," he said.
There are children that don't believe they function well in a typical school setting. Horsley says alternative schools and even home schooling may work for some of those students. But, the chronically truant kids usually lack the support and motivation they need from home.
"If parents aren't there to support their children and aren't providing the necessary support, then we will not be successful," he said.
