Attendance

Attendance

Last winter Rappahannock County schools achieved a certain notoriety when they were labeled "underachieving" because of poor attendance in an article in the Richmond Times Dispatch.

At that time the school administration made a point of noting that • attendance was not the same thing as achievement. However, that poor record on attendance had already caused concern within the high school faculty:

Too many students missed too many days of school. Most brought in notes when they returned supposedly signed by a parent claiming that the student was sick. They were allowed to make up the missed work, and except for not qualifying for a certificate of perfect attendance, there were no further consequences for the absent student.

However, there were consequences for the educational process. When several students were missing from a class, it was difficult for the class to move ahead. When they returned, class time was spent : going over missed work with them. * - This problem was not unique to Rappahannock County. Two years ago there was a storm of protest in Fairfax County when several high . schools instituted a policy that a student could have only a limited - number of absences before failing the class. Fearing that a policy as draconian as that would only increase the drop out rate, ‘.Rappahannock schools decided to look for something less harsh that .'would still result in regular attendance for more students. A committee of faculty, parents and administrators was formed to make recom. mendations, and a compromise was reached.

Under the policy instituted this year attendance will count 10 percent of the grade. A student who is absent six days goes on attendance probation and must bring a note from a doctor, dentist or the ‘court for further absences.

Not surprisingly even this policy produced a storm of protest. Some parents were concerned that their children who have medical Conditions would be unfairly penalized. Others expect to be able to schedule family vacations during school time and claim their children have always made up their work and do well in school. . The new attendance policy is having an effect. Absences are down dramatically from a year ago.

The school system should not back down. An appeals process needs to be spelled out for true medical conditions. Parents need to realize that planning family holidays around the school schedule is part of the deal when their children are school aged.

But the school has a further obligation. That is to make sure the perception that missing school is not missing much, is wrong. Those students who are in attendance and their parents need to be assured that interesting and academically challenging work is going on in the classrooms every period of every day.