Improve attendance and Reducing tardies

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With the 2nd 9 weeks of school quickly approaching, we are creating ways to improve attendance and reduce tardies. We are implementing an incentive program for students. School is a job and will be treated as such with a salary. A salary will be determined for students based on the career they choose. As students come to school each day on time, bonus money will be added. As they miss days and come to school late, money will be deducted. At the end of each month students will be able to buy activities such computer time creating projects, purchasing a leadership position in the school etc. Other incentives will be in place to purchase with money earned. For parents we are creating workshops to have conversations about the importance of attendance and being at school on time, lunch bunch workshops to inform parents on how they can help their children at home and school etc. We started with monitoring 10 students with 10 or more absences and tardies. There is also a check in system in place for these students to ensure on time attendance.

Comments

  1. TraciNovember 16, 2015 at 2:14 PM

    I really like this idea.It is a great real world lesson in why attendance is so important. I especially like that you are piloting it with a small number of students and tying it into money. This will help them understand the importance of being on time and being there when they start their "real" jobs. I might just talk to my principal about doing this. Thanks for sharing

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  2. UnknownNovember 18, 2015 at 7:23 PM

    Are you only implementing this with the 10 identified students, or is it a school-wide initiative? It seems like it would be a tremendous undertaking for school-wide, and I just wonder about those kids that would be on time or present if it was up to them, but they are subject to forces beyond their control (their own parents, work, or other extenuating circumstances). Attendance is a tough one, especially considering how it factors into your school's overall progress and ratings. Good luck with it!

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    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 24, 2015 at 10:09 PM

      We are beginning with the top 10 students with the most absences10 or more. Yes we are inviting parents in for meetings as well as phone conferences to discuss the importance of being on time and present. We are finding that the students with the most tardies or absences are out of our school zone, has been interesting

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  3. UnknownNovember 19, 2015 at 2:57 PM

    Great way to be proactive instead of reactive. My school had an ice cream social and while the intent was good it was poorly managed. Some kids who did not meet the criteria to attend participated. It is very important to engage all stakeholders in order to have an effective policy and program on attendance. There is a great article in this month's Educational Leadership on Attendance.

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