Attendance & Grades
Being able to pass courses is half of the battle. Attendance is another piece of the puzzle that’s just as important in making passing grades. Grades are generally connected to attendance and participation. Some students have natural abilities and can easily catch on to concepts taught, but if they aren’t present, they could pass but not get credit for the class. Students must be in each class at least 90% of the time; this is called the 90% rule. Showing up for school is important for academic success, starting in elementary and continuing through high school and beyond. Families play a significant part in ensuring students get to school safely and are present daily. Many parents stay involved during a child’s early development years in elementary, but it’s just as important to stay involved and know what’s going on during middle and high school.
*Always ask your school about programs they offer to support students.
Things to Know
• Students have an assigned number of days they can miss before it counts against them. If they go over these days, they will be required to make them up. Students can lose credits or be retained if the time owed isn't recovered. This is called the 90% Rule. If students miss more than 10% of the course, they will have to make up hours for anything over the allotted days for the semester.
• Absences can signify that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with schoolwork, experiencing bullying, or facing other potentially serious difficulties.
• Absenteeism is a big indicator that a student is at risk of dropping out. This can be a major sign starting in middle school. When you see the signs, seek help quickly. Connect with school administration, counselors, and other youth organizations that can assist.
• Being present is a part of life. Attendance is an important life skill. Remember showing up is half the battle. Showing up for high school leads to a diploma. Showing up for college leads to a degree. Showing up for your job could lead to a promotion.
Action Steps
• Talk to your child about the importance of showing up in life and being present daily. Make this connection by emphasizing the importance of attending school to meet future goals. Please don’t allow your child to stay home unless they are really sick. If your child is staying home due to constant stomach aches, or headaches, look deeper into it. Check with your physician to ensure this is a medical need vs. signs of anxiety or depression.
• Help your child maintain daily routines. For example, when they get home, set aside time for homework, check your child’s folder/ backpack for failed assignments and incomplete work, and make sure they have a scheduled bedtime to be fully rested for the next day.
• Check in with your child’s teachers periodically, especially if you see a change in their behavior. Schedule an appointment, or email at least once every six weeks. You may learn things that need addressing, such as tardiness, frequent restroom visits, and other helpful information. If the teacher mentions anything alarming, check in with your child to see what’s going on and seek help from the counselor or other helpful parties such as the nurse, principal, or community agencies. Inquire about tutoring options if they are failing.
• Ask your child if they feel safe at school. If they don’t, find out why. Not wanting to go to school is sometimes related to bullying and threatening events. If there are constant discipline issues, find out why. This could lead to school suspensions that cause students to fall behind in class. Work with the counselor and administration to seek options and programs to assist.
• Get to know your child’s friends and who they socialize with. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school.
• If your child has social media accounts, follow & monitor them.
• Get your child connected with organizations at school: extra-curricular activities, sports, and clubs.
• Don’t forget to check your school’s online system for grades and weekly attendance, and make sure your contact information is accurate. If you notice absences you are unaware of, or their grades have significantly dropped, follow up with the school, teacher, or counselor.