Year 8 Pastoral Guardian
Jeni Barlow
Attendance Matters
“Every day counts and there is no ‘safe’ threshold for absences” – Hancock et al., 2013
According to the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), “25% of Australian school students attend less than 90% of school days; this equates to approximately 20 or more days absent in a school year”. This means, approximately 25% of students are missing at least one month of school over their school year. Furthermore, absenteeism increases from Year 8 onwards.
Of course, in the current climate of COVID-19, and for illness, absence is unavoidable. However, for all other circumstances whether the absence is ‘explained’ or ‘unexplained’ – the system for registering student non-attendance at Mt Alvernia – does not matter; it is still absence from school and minimises opportunities to learn and grow.
The relationship between attendance at school and academic achievement is indisputable across all sectors of education and society. Studies from Western Australia consistently show that the average academic performance on NAPLAN tests (reading, writing and numeracy domains) decline with non-attendance, and these rates continue to fall without intervention. Furthermore, the effects of absenteeism are cumulative, and so absenteeism in this year has a profound effect on overall academic achievement in future years (Hancock, 2013).
In all analyses, average academic achievement on NAPLAN tests declined with any absence from school and continued to decline as absence rates increased. The nature of the relationship between absence from school and achievement, across all sub-groups of students strongly suggests that every day of attendance in school contributes towards a child’s learning, and that academic outcomes are enhanced by maximising attendance in school. There is no “safe” threshold.
The effects of absence also accumulate over time. We found that absence from school was related to academic achievement in numeracy, reading and writing not only in the current year, but in future years as well. Parents need to be aware of these relationships, and understand that when their child misses school it can have an ongoing impact on their learning.
In all analyses, average academic achievement on NAPLAN tests declined with any absence from school and continued to decline as absence rates increased. The nature of the relationship between absence from school and achievement, across all sub-groups of students strongly suggests that every day of attendance in school contributes towards a child’s learning, and that academic outcomes are enhanced by maximising attendance in school. There is no “safe” threshold.
The effects of absence also accumulate over time. We found that absence from school was related to academic achievement in numeracy, reading and writing not only in the current year, but in future years as well. Parents need to be aware of these relationships, and understand that when their child misses school it can have an ongoing impact on their learning.
Additionally, non-attendance at school increases social isolation and worsening peer relationships. When students do not attend school, their friends move on and seek connections elsewhere. Subsequently, a vicious cycle begins: disconnection from learning, fractured peer/school connections and a lack of accomplishment. Beyond the school grounds, worsening family relationships, employment difficulties or increased risk of psychiatric illness may also be experienced (Sewell J 2008).
Other significant benefits for high attendance rates at school include opportunities to develop the essential skills of self-regulation, decision-making, routines and acceptance of responsibilities, critical social skills with peers along with observing and learning the norms for behaviour in school and eventually, their wider world, where they need to show up every day for work (Eindrapport Knowing what works (nov. 2021).pdf (nro.nl).
The reasons for non-attendance, in the form of school refusal are complex, varied and often inter-connected. Take a look at the what contributes to school refusal on the Mt A SchoolTV for some of the key factors. In my discussions with some students, staying home to complete assessment is used as a reason for absenteeism. Not only is this practice counter-productive because students miss vital teaching for subjects on the day of absence, but it also undermines the necessity for effective routines for work and time management skills for the completion of schoolwork and assessment.
What are the signs to look for to raise your concerns about your child’s attendance? Symptoms of headache, abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness before school and which generally get better if you let your child stay at home. Similarly, the regular onset of such symptoms at school, requiring early departure should also be noted. Other behaviours like refusing to get out of bed, persistent lateness to school, tantrums, pleading to not go to school are also concerning signs.
How to promote high attendance at school for students.
- Set a culture of expectation for full attendance at school. If not attending school, ensure pleasures (mobile phone, Netflix etc) are removed for the day.
- Set an alarm each night to allow for plenty of time to get ready. Leave extra time for any unexpected delays.
- Prepare for the morning the night before. Lay out uniforms, be sure schoolbags, sports equipment, musical instruments and lunches are pre-packed.
- Save time in the morning by having your child bathe or shower before bed.
- Keep the television turned off on school mornings and avoid other distractions that can take away from your routine.
- Establish a bedtime routine that ensures a restful night.
- Show an interest in students’ learning, activities and friendships.
- Let your child’s Pastoral Guardian know immediately if you are having any issues getting your child to school.
- Avoid planning family holidays during school time.
- If absence is essential, ensure your student completes the learning outlined on their subjects’ OneNote pages to avoid falling behind in their work.
Adapted from: Attendance Matters: Good Attendance Helps Students Succeed (athlosacademies.org)
In the Every day counts (education.qld.gov.au), Johnathan Thurston states, “missing training can put you on the bench for your next game. Missing school could put you on the bench for the rest of your life” So, attendance at school does matter and every day students show up to school, they are getting closer to achieving their potential – which is the ultimate aim for parents, educators and students.
References:
Every day counts (education.qld.gov.au)
Eindrapport Knowing what works (nov. 2021).pdf (nro.nl)
Hancock, J (PDF) Student Attendance and Educational Outcomes: Every Day Counts (researchgate.net)
Sewell, J (2008) School Refusal 200806sewell.pdf (racgp.org.au)
Jeni Barlow
Year 8 Pastoral Guardian