After last year’s chronic absenteeism, the district implements a new attendance policy with changes to the credit review process.
“I actually think the previous policy worked well, except it was very labor-intensive keeping track of all of the hours students made up and who owed how much time. But in theory, I think it worked very well,” associate principal Scott May said.
With the goal to improve attendance and hold students accountable, the new policy places students on an attendance contract once they reach 11 absences. Instead of allowing make up hours, the contract requires students to pass the class with a D- or higher and show improvement in their attendance for all classes. Their improvement is based on a sliding scale, which permits one absence for every three weeks left in the semester.
This new process aims to fix chronic absenteeism, since one in five high school students are chronically absent, according to the American University School of Education.
“I think it’s actually a good idea to get people to actually come to class, instead of just thinking they have a way to just get their credit back. But more people will fail their classes, because I know a lot of people who don’t come to school regularly,” senior Lily Mandley said.
If a student fails to meet the contract, they can test out of a class to earn credit, according to the district’s policy. If the student also fails to test out, then they earn an F for their semester grade and on their permanent record.
“I think it’s really strict and overbearing for a lot of students and for a lot of different reasons. I think that if you’re absent for more than 10 days in the semester then, yes, there should be repercussions. But at the same time, if you’re still doing well and have all A’s in your classes, there’s no reason you should be failing a class if you’re not doing poorly in school or class, but you just have to miss a lot of days for whatever reason. It’s just not fair to the students because it’s not a fair representation sometimes of who they are and why they’re gone,” junior Sonja Peterson said.
Absences related to the death or funeral of an immediate family member, a court appearance with proper documentation, suspension or illness with a doctor’s note provided within five days of the absence will count as excused.
“I’m personally not affected by the attendance policy, since I usually have pretty good attendance; but I know it’s definitely a lot harder on other people who may have certain struggles that may not allow them to always get to school on time, because everyone’s personal situation is going to be different,” senior Seth Bartley said. “So, I think in that regard, I don’t like it. However, I can understand why it’s being implemented.”
Click here to read our correlating staff editorial: Attendance: Case for flexibility – Ike News
