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Disclaimers and Notices

ATTENDANCE INCENTIVES


Attendance policy and programming, coupled with school climate and increased academic performance, offers a unique opportunity to engage the entire school community – parents, staff, students, and community members – in a process that will build upon the strengths of all concerned.  Maintenance of high attendance rates depends upon incentives that range from climate/culture to district-wide and building programs to recognition for accomplishments to individual sanctions (disincentives).  Each category has distinct functions.  Although districts will differ in the incentives employed depending upon the philosophies and needs of family and community, programs are quite likely to span the entire spectrum.  The specific strategies developed and implemented by a district will reflect the diversity and creativity that exists within schools and their communities.

I. SYSTEMIC APPROACHES

A.  School Climate/Environment

A healthy school climate or environment provides a safe and health-enhancing environment that encourages the optimum performance of all.  It includes the organization of a healthy school day; an atmosphere which promotes the self-esteem of everyone; and the promotion of relationships that are favorable to social/emotional health.The following resources provide insight into the inter-related issues of school climate, attendance and student academic performance.

B.  Positive Youth Development

Karen Pittman, one of this country's leading experts on youth development, describes youth development as follows:

"...the ongoing growth process in which all youth are engaged in attempting to (1) meet their basic personal and social needs to be safe, feel cared for, be valued, be useful, and be spiritually grounded, and (2) to build skills and competencies that allow them to function and contribute in their daily lives."

Here are some resources: Some Practical Ideas:

Create mentoring programs – with faculty, staff, volunteers, students – each student has someone who checks in with him/her at least twice a week

Create school-community partnerships to identify meaningful youth service options·       volunteer in food pantries

 C.  Family/Community Involvement

Increased involvement of parents and families is often cited as one of the important ways to improve schools. Research shows that when parents/families are involved in their children's education, there is a positive correlation to achievement and positive effects on overall student attitudes and behavior.

Here are some resources:

Real Parents, Real Schools offers research-based guidelines to help parents, families, schools and communities work together as partners to promote the healthy development and academic achievement of their children.  (on-line at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/rscs/chaps/Parent_Involvement/Parent_Involvement_webpage.htm

National Parent Teacher Association has developed standards and resources to help schools and their communities work together in cooperation and collaboration. Materials and resources on-line at http://www.pta.org/parentinvolvement/standards/index.asp

Some Practical Ideas: II.  DISTRICT/BUILDING PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES     

Some ideas:

III.    INDIVIDUAL INCENTIVES

Some simple strategies:

IV.       INDIVIDUAL “DISINCENTIVES” (a.k.a. SANCTIONS)

A few ideas:

Note:  Students with attendance issues are likely to provide a rich source of both incentives and sanctions, if asked.  Consequences of decisions to attend or not attend school should be intrinsic to all sanctions.