| Arkansas
education law requires that all children, ages six through 16, attend
school regularly. Making sure that they are there each day is the
parent's responsibility.However,
the importance of school attendance goes beyond meeting the letter of
the law. In order for kids to be successful, they need to be in school
and on task every day. This is more important now than ever before.Attendance and academic achievement go hand-in-hand1.
Remember that good attendance benefits your child's education.
Students who miss a day of schol not only miss instruction but must make
up work and catch up with the new material at the same time.
2.
The coursework in today's schools is simply more challenging than it
used to be - and students who are frequently absent are setting
themselves up for serious academic problems.
3. Students
must take a series of important state tests that measure their
abilities in English/language arts, math, science and social studies.
Students who come to school each day and work hard at their studies fare
better on these tests - showing they have the foundation necessary to
do well in high school where the stakes are even higher.Students
who score poorly on the exams or other key exams receive academic
intervention services. This may include remedial classes, one-on-one
tutoring, summer school classes or other services to help them catch up
academically. Yet playing "catch-up" is something students should try to
avoid since it will seriously limit their high school coursework
options and could delay graduation.The
bottom line: Making sure your child is at school every day is one of
the most powerful ways parents can ensure success - in elementary
school, middle school, high school and beyond.Other benefits of good attendanceMaking
school attendance a priority can also help your child learn good work
and study habits. On average, students have one to two hours of homework
each night. Even one missed day can mean having to tacklethree or more
hours of homework the following night - practically a guarantee that
kids will not be doing their best work in their rush to just get through
it all.Getting
to school each day, whether they feel like it or not, also prepares
kids to meet future, responsibilities. Imagine, for example, what would
happen if your son or daughter regularly skipped college classes or was a
frequent "no show" at a future job. The same holds true for getting to
school on time. Frequent tardiness would not be tolerated in the
workplace; parents teach a valuable lesson when they teach the
importance of arriving to school on time every day. Things families can do to ensure kids are in school and learning: 1.
Make academics a priority. Let your kids know that you expect them to
go to school every day and do their best while there. At this stage in
their lives, learning should be "job one." Granted, there are the
occasional sick days, but young, healthy children rarely need to miss
more than a few days each year. Talk about the consequences of missing
school in terms that will hit home for them (e.g., having to stay after
school to make up missed work, needing to attend remedial classes,
missing out on after school sports and clubs or time with friends.)
2.
Help your child get organized. Create a space in your home for kids to
store backpacks, coats, sneakers and other supplies. Develop a routine
where children help pack their own lunches and do necessary laundry the
night before. This will make mornings less hectic and help kids get out
the door and onto the bus on time. Getting organized can also help
create a calmer atmosphere at home, leading to better attitudes and
openness to learning when kids arrive at school.
3. Set reasonable bedtimes. On average, students need about nine hours of sleep to be healthy and alert. A midnight bedtime on a school night makes the six a.m.
wake-up call tough to meet - and doesn't give them nearly enough sleep.
Despite what nature is telling them, reinforce reasonable bedtimes for
your kids and encourage them to get up and get ready on their own. (A
loud alarm clock can be a useful tool in this effort!)
4. A
work first/play later policy (e.g. homework before sports, activities,
friends, the computer) with regard to homework can also help make sure
they realize the importance of their school work.
5.
Make medical and other appointments during non-school hours whenever
possible. Schedule family vacations during school holidays or the summer
recess so that students aren't missing important lessons and struggling
to make up for lost ground.
6.
Keep track of your child's absences. Excessive absences might be a sign
of other physical or emotional problems. These might be personal, such
as a failed relationship with another student or fear of being bullied.
Or it might be academic, such as a conflict with a teacher or fear of
failing a test. If absences become common, talk with your child and
enlist the help of his or her guidance counselor, teachers or
pediatrician. Working as a team can help provide a clearer picture of
what's really at the source of the attendance problem. |