Why Is School Attendance So Important?
From the State of Connecticut Department of Education:
Research shows that absences add up and that good attendance is essential to student achievement and graduation. In contrast, missing too much school (chronic absence and truancy) can lead to school drop-out, academic failure and juvenile delinquency.
State law requires school districts and schools to have specific policies and procedures regarding students who are truant. A truant is defined as a student who has has 4 unexcused absences from school in one month (30 consecutive calendar days) or 10 unexcused absences in one school year.
If a student becomes truant, their school is required to have a meeting with the student’s parent/ guardian within 10 school days. In this meeting, the school should work with the student and guardian to help the student return to school. Schools should also work with community agencies providing child and family services to address the student’s barriers to coming to school.
Ultimately, the most effective strategy for helping student be present in school is prevention. Attendance monitoring, enhancing school culture and community, increasing student engagement, and mentoring students for academic success are effective school-based strategies for preventing truancy.
Addressing Truancy in Westbrook
In Westbrook, the schools are adept at addressing absenteeism using support directly available through the school with its motivated team of social workers, psychologists, faculty and staff. The schools also may suggest specific community resources available to help families’ address their individual needs.
With parent or guardian permission, Westbrook’s Truancy Board convenes with representatives from the school, Westbrook Youth and Family Services and community organizations to identify other resources that might support the family.
The reasons for chronic absenteeism and truancy are wide-ranging and specific for each student and family. It may require creative thinking, multiple different solutions and patience but changing this behavior is worth the effort!
How Do I support My Student?
Build the habit of good attendance at an early age
Help your child stay healthy and engaged
Communicate with the School
Review School Success Guidelines
Implement an Attendance Plan with Your Child
Rules and boundaries are important
Your student has forgotten that he can be successful at school – help them find a way back in.
Visit Attendanceworks.org for more information
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Need More Help?
If an attendance problem is surfacing, communicate with the school to discuss strategies and resources that will help you improve your student’s attendance.
If attendance problems persist and the school has engaged all the resources at its disposal, you may elect to submit a referral to Westbrook Youth and Family Services. This may trigger a convening of the Truancy Board which will consist of you, school representatives, WYFS, and expert and local community representatives to brainstorm about unexplored, creative strategies. Each of these people are motivated to help the student and support the family.