What should be the standard of attendance

required of students who must attend school?

Excessive Absences

Law (3210(1)(a), (2)(b).Students of compulsory education age (19:1)

must attend school regularly, as prescribed by the school board where the student resides or is employee, for the entire time the appropriate public schools or classes are in session.

Absences are permitted only as allowed by general rules and procedures of public schools. (3210(1)(a), (2)(b).

School Law 33rd edition

NYS COMPREHENSIVE ATTENDANCE POLICY

Section 104.1(i) of Commissioner’s

RegulationsCAP

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/sss/lawsregs/1041iAttendance20Regs.html

NYC BOE POLICYStudent Attendance Policy Attendance is required for public school

students. Minor ages 6-17 in New York City are required to attend school on a full time basis. 90% attendance is one of the requirements for promotion to the next grade.

METHODOLOGYStudents should want to come to school, and they

are more likely to become engaged when:

1)They have positive relationships with school personnel

2) Welcoming school climates exist 3) School-based supports and resources are

available 4) They feel safe because issues of bullying and

SUCCESS DEPENDS ON:Research shows that the three building blocks for

school success are :

AttendanceAttachment Achievement

Student Advocacy is a non-profit educational advocacyorganization that helps children get on track to school success.

KEY FACTORS SURROUNDING ATTENDANCESchool factors include:School safety issues (e.g., bullying) School climate issues.Flexibility in meeting the diverse learning

styles of students.Failure to successfully notify families about

each absence.Lack of consistency and uniformity to

attendance and attendance policy within schools and districts.

Continued….Student variables include:Academic problems and learning difficulties Limited social and emotional

competence/behavior problems Poor physical health/chronic medical issues Serious social or emotional issues Lack of understanding of attendance laws Substance use

IMPLEMENTATION

NYS DOE: Implementation of CAP http://www.p12.nysed.gov/sss/lawsregs/104-

1iAttendance20Regs.html

SCHOOL BOARD: Incorporate POLICYADMINISTRATIONTEACHERSCOMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS (CPS)PARENTS

STRATEGIES Attendance policies and practices that effectively deal with

chronic attendance issues:1. Education of parents regarding school attendance

requirements;2. Effective policies and practices to monitor attendance;3. Clear definition of excessive absenteeism and a two-stage

response to excessive absences;4. Schools need to investigate underlying problems and respondwith changes in school services or linkages to community

services; and5. Seek additional help is sought through Child Protective

Services or Probation.

REFERENCESGottfried, Micheal. (2010) Evaluating the Relationship

Between Attendance and Achievemant in Urban Elementary Schools and Middle Schools. American Educational Journal, 47,434-465.

Kube, & Ratigan. (1992). Does your school have a clue? Putting your attendance policy to the test. The Clearing House, 65, 348-350.

Lamdin, D. J. (1996). Evidence of student attendance as an independent variable in education production functions. The Journal of Educational Research, 89, 155-62.

Borland, M.V. & Howsen, R.M. (1998). Effect of student attendance on student performance: A comment on Lamdin. The Journal of Educational Research, 91, 195-197