Indiana Department of Education

SAMPLE. Northern Wells High School. 9087School Improvement Plan

Chronic Absenteeism Reduction PlanCheck & Connect

Jordan SteinerM.A. Counseling Psychology- School Counseling

Check & Connect School Engagement Intervention

Rationale

Indiana LegislationSenate Bill- 338 (2013)IC 20-19-3-12.1

IC 20-33-2-11b Governing body of school shall establish and include as part of written copy of discipline rules 1) definition of habitual truancy designee 2) minimum “chronically absent designee” having > 10 days unexcused of school in current school year

IC 20-33-2-14 Governing body of school shall have a policy outlining conditions for excused and unexcused absences (locally determined). Any absence in 180 day year need to qualify as excused or result is unexcused

IC 20-33-2-20 Attendance records1.Accurate daily record of attendance of each student (enrolled and subject to compulsory attendance)2.Record shall be open at all times to: attendance officer, school officials, dept. of Labor, security officer, school resource officer (law enforcement)

IC 20-33-2-26(a)(b)(c) a. Duty to enforce attendance: district superintendent, attendance officer designee, state attendance officer, school resource officer.

b. Affidavit against parent for violation filed under public offense procedurec. Affidavit filed to court

IC 20-20-8-8 Reporting Information (annual performance report) Section 18- chronic absenteeism- absent 10% of school for any reasonSection 19- habitual truant- absent 10 days without excuse

IC 20-31-5 Strategic and Continuous School Improvement and Achievement Plan Section 41.Attendance rate (except “A” rated school –OR- schools in first year of implemented School Improvement Plan (SIP)2.Educational need of students designated chronic absentee/habitual truant

Effects of Chronic AbsenteeismACADEMIC ECONOMIC- NHSa. loss of credit b. Loss of work permit and operator license- (CEEP, 2012)a. Indiana Data indicates direct link between absenteeism and school achievementb. Students’ attendance serves as an effective predictor of future achievementc. 10 % of chronic absentee designee students graduate HSd. 88% of student w/ good attendance (<5days/ year) graduate; 24% w/ chronic absenteeism (>18days/year) graduate- (CEEP, 2013)a. Chronic absences/habitual truancy: decreases learning assessment scores, decreases academic performances

(course failures, disengagement, etc), increase substance abuse, increase risk of mental illness

- (US Census Bureau, 2002,) dropouts mean earnings are typically 40-60% lower than HS graduates- If 10% of students dropout, compare to losing $10 for every $100 earned; would you take that investment rate??

UNEMPLOYMENT SOCIETY/CITIZENSHIP- In 2008 54% of HS dropouts were unemployed- 2010, estimated 3.8 million youths age 18-24 are neither employed or enrolled in school

- Reliance on public assistance- Social isolation

INCARCERATION ENGAGEMENT IN UNHEALTHY BEHAIVORS- 75% (state) and 59% (federal) inmates are dropouts - 37.8% of 16-24 year old girls who drop out of HS are mothers

- (NCSE, 2003) truancy and chronic absenteeism: clearly identified as early warning signs of substance abuse

Goal: Decrease chronic absentee/habitual truancy designees to account for less than 10% overall student population

Support Data (used to select the goal):

Attendance ReportCommunity Partnership Report

School Engagement Survey

InterventionsCheck & Connect

Activities to implement the intervention

TimelinePerson(s)

accountableStandard/Code

Attendance monitoring

 

Daily

1.Attendance Officer2.Resource Officer

3.Monitor4.School Counselors

IC20-19-3-12.2

Monitor placement 

Prior to school year Admin

Mentor support/supervision

 Monthly monitor

“Check” procedures DailyMonitor

CounselorSST

“Connect” procedures DailyMonitor

CounselorSST

 

Weekly monitoring Form Weekly Monitor  

Reflection Report End of school

Student

Parent

Monitor

 

Community Partnership Contract Annually

Admin

Monitor