On Time For School

What is the importance of being on time for school? Does chronic absenteeism and tardies really upset the flow of the school day? Mr. Paul Sena, a school principal researched and came up with these results.


On national average, children missed five days of school in kindergarten, 4.5 days in first and second grade, and 3.7 days in the third, fourth and fifth grade. Almost 14% of kindergartners, 12% of first and second graders, and 10% of third, fourth and fifth graders were at risk of absentees. They missed an average of 12 to 18 days during the school year. The term used in studies is "chronic absenteeism," but honestly, it should be identified as "habitual offenders." Now, I know that sounds harsh but, as a data-driven society, this too needs to be recognized and improved. We as a team of educators, parents, children and community, need to demonstrate concern and make changes to improve chronic/habitual absenteeism's and tardies in the early grades.

School attendance and punctuality are important factors in school success. Regular attendance and punctuality are expected of all students and necessary for achieving success. Classroom work missed can never be made up in a completely satisfactory manner. The educational value of the class activities is missed forever. Absences for annual reasons such as vacations, hunting and family visiting should be discouraged. Tardies for such reasons as "my alarm clock did not go off," "I couldn't get my children moving this morning," "I'm late most of the time anyway," and any late-night activity during the school week should be discouraged.

Inconsistent attendance and tardies in the early grades usually signal symptoms of possible problems in middle school and high school. Middle school and high school students placed in a chronic category of poor attendance or tardies usually have records indicating problematic behavior in the elementary school years. Parental responsibility is a key element in attempting to prevent student absenteeism and tardies at the primary and secondary level and should be implemented as early prevention and intervention for elementary children. Parents and the community need to not only read about, but speak out about, their concern of absenteeism and tardies. An open dialogue in the work place, home, church, shopping areas and restaurants is essential to reach out to parents who do not have the opportunity to read about prevention and intervention of absenteeism and punctuality in the early grades.

In summary, punctuality and daily attendance are integral parts of the learning experience and are required of all students to receive maximum benefit of the educational program. Absenteeism is a barrier that impedes student learning. Tardiness disrupts classroom routines and begins the day in a negative way for the student. Therefore, we clearly need to be proactive for early prevention or intervention of absenteeism and tardies in students' early school years.