Attend Today Achieve Tomorrow

By Wafaa Joumaa

EVERY DAY COUNTS

Student absenteeism is the one of major concerns among the schools in the U.S.A.

Approximately one in ten U.S. students miss 10 % or more of school each day.

Missing just 10% of the school year adds up to academic trouble.

Students who are missing school are unable to graduate later.

In Michigan state 26% of students are not graduating from high school.

White14%

Hispanic21%

Black29%

Asian10%

American Indian26%

Students not graduating

Missing two to three days each month means students are missing opportunities to learn.

According to Williams (2000), students who have absenteeism problems generally suffer academically

and socially.

Students who are missing the school are unable to master reading, writing, and math skills.

They display signs of poor self-esteem and depression.

Absenteeism disturbs the dynamic teaching-learning environment and adversely affects the

overall well-being of classes (Segal 2008).

Chronic absenteeism can be an early predictor of dropping out of high school (Mac Iver & Mac Iver,

2010).

Now it’s your turn.What can you do?

Talk to your child about the importance of going to school every day.

Set a regular bed time and wake up time.

Get your child to school daily and on time.

Be a part of school community.

Plan your child’s appointments after the school day.

Help your child with homework.

Provide an alternate transportation plan.

Provide your child with plenty of time to get ready for school.

Request a meeting with your school’s attendance committee to discuss your

child’s attendance concerns.

Make sure your child arrives at school on time daily. Students should arrive at

least ten minutes early.

Learn about the school Policies.

Working together we can solve the problem of absenteeism.

Learning Today Leaders Tomorrow.