Would be nice if you stopped by?

 Would be nice if you stopped by?

 

 

The rate of chronic absenteeism in Baltimore City schools has dropped to 45% and they feel they are making progress.  Individuals with chronic absenteeism get lower grades, lower test scores, and lower graduation rates.   But it isn’t just the individual that is impacted.   When half of a class is absent, the teacher can hardly afford to move forward with the curriculum material.  Lessons are repeated and the kids who did come to school have to suffer the repeats.

In Baltimore City, charter schools and magnet schools had the lowest rates of chronic absenteeism.  

What’s the reason?  First of all, these schools tend to be smaller.  Smaller schools have teachers with better connections to kids. Never mind that despite all of the evidence regarding the benefits of smaller schools, we are still building bigger ones. Students with connections to their teachers feel wanted and understood, and they often are.  Also by coming to school more, students build relationships with their peers so they want to come to school for the socialization.   Schools that had admission criteria also had lower absenteeism.

One the other hand, schools with large populations had the highest absentee rates.  Alternative schools regularly have the highest number of chronic absenteeism.  One alternative school in the City had a chronic absentee rate of 95%!!   What was the point of having the school?

Students are missing school to take care of younger siblings, earn money to help their families or they just don’t think it’s valuable for their future.   There are also gang issues so that some kids don’t feel safe at school.

One strategy that is very expensive is calling or visiting the homes of kids who are chronically absent.  One school starts calling kids homes and then follows up with a visit after 3 days of absence.  Some schools offer rewards for good attendance.  But overall,  the most the most significant factors and check-ins at home AND check ins at school.  Attendance plans that require students to check in at school with a preferred adult.  

Progress is s l o w.   And it’s being made.  The question is, can the schools meet the added expense along with the rest of the higher budget expectations.

COVID gave kids an excuse to stay home, now we need to give them a reason to stop by.  Who knows with enough buy-in they might enjoy it.