Families can help children achieve good attendance and stay on track at every grade level by:
Please remind your child that daily attendance is required. If your child anticipates being absent, please ensure the reason is valid. A chronically absent student is a child subject to compulsory school attendance and absent without valid cause for more than 5% of the last 180 school days. This is a matter of concern as the Illinois School Code 105 ILCS 5/26-2a considers a truant rate of more than 5% of the last 180 days to be excessive.
You probably already know that research shows that when you prioritize school attendance, your student benefits in several ways:
You might not realize how harmful even a few absences each month and routine tardiness can be to your student’s success. Numerous studies have underscored the critical importance of attendance, with clear findings. Educators consider an absence rate of 10% or more the ‘breaking point’. If your student misses more than 10%, or eighteen (18) school days, in a year, it significantly impacts their academic performance and social-emotional health.
Many parents may need to be made aware that their students are missing this much school, whether through whole classes or portions, due to tardiness.
Here are some suggestions to help you stay informed about your student’s attendance:
Additional information can be found on this website: Attendance Works
Our consistent message about the importance of regular school attendance is one way we can work together to support our students in their school experiences. Students who are frequently absent often miss important information being taught, fall behind, and lose interest in school.
Improving attendance may help a child achieve better grades and feel better about himself/herself. Counseling services and tutoring will be provided to chronically absent students, along with a check-in and check-out program of support.
Suppose a child continues to be absent or tardy without a valid excuse. In that case, the Regional Superintendent/South Cook Intermediate Service Center will be notified, and measures will be taken to address this concern more seriously. If your child struggles to attend school consistently, we must work together to improve their attendance, as this will improve their chances for success.
