Students can’t be successful in school if they don’t show up to class.
Missing just two days of school per month can lead to academic trouble – even for kids in the early grades. Children who are chronically absent during kindergarten show lower levels of achievement in math and reading by the time they reach first grade.
If absences continue throughout your child’s school career, his/her chances of success are decreasing every year that passes. Consequences can include:
- Failing grades
- Low standardized test scores
- Dropping out of school
- Difficulty finding a good job, getting into college and maintaining a steady income
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Incarceration
The effects of missing school can impact all kids, no matter who they are or where they live. It can even affect students who attend school regularly because it slows down the progress of an entire class.
Here’s the good news: Students who are frequently absent but improve their attendance early on can reverse many of the long-term effects. Parents, caregivers, schools and communities can all play a role in helping kids who miss school get back on track.
What can parents do to help?
- Be prepared for the first day of school.
- Make sure your child has the required shots.
- Set a regular bedtime and wake up with an alarm clock.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- Introduce your child to her teachers and classmates when school starts to help her transition.
- Don’t let your child stay home unless he or she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make him/her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
- Reward your child for good attendance so that it becomes a habit.