Attendance Matters Aliza Shupac MSW RSW TDSB Social

Attendance Matters Aliza Shupac, MSW, RSW TDSB Social Worker & Attendance Counsellor

Problematic Attendance Ministry requirement: 197 Instructional days. * At-Risk Attendance when students miss between 5%-10% (from 10 - 20 days per year ) Chronic Absenteeism is prolonged absence exceeding 10% a school year (20 or more days per year). Just one or two days a month. Truancy is consistent failure to attend school and the term used by the TDSB during court proceedings. Truancy charges are typically made when children are absent over 15% of a school year (30 or more days per year). Satisfactory Attendance: misses 5% or less of class. (10 days missed or less).

Why Does Attendance Matter? *Research shows that children suffer academically when they miss as few as 10 days or more per year (5% or over) *That can be just one or two days a month.

Attendance Matters. . Most students with Absenteeism rate of greater than 10% (‘Chronic Absenteeism’) were below the provincial standard in EQAO Mathematics assessment Ø *“High Absenteeism is strongly connected to low achievement”

Attendance Matters *By middle school, chronic absenteeism is highly correlated to high school dropout rates. *Lifelong habits are set as early as the young grades. *Absenteeism affects the learning of the entire classroom.

Demographics *Households headed by single mothers disproportionately affected. *Families living in poverty (transition, transportation, health care issues)= The school can help to liaise with community agencies to ensure wrap around support. *Vacations, doctors appointments (try to schedule outside of school hours).

TDSB Attendance Referrals *Referrals typically made when students miss 15% of school year (30 days or more) but also takes longer term attendance patterns into account (discretionary). (ie- 2 years of ‘at-risk attendance’) *Automatic referral after 15 consecutive days of absence. Steps: *School attempts to support family re: attendance *Referral made to Attendance Counselor *Meeting to try and address any underlying problems- support offered. *Period of monitoring *Attendance Review Committee Hearing- Decision to press charges on parents for truancy (or decision to monitor), potential to refer to Children’s Aid Society for on-going support. *Period of monitoring

*Court proceedings (The Education Act mandates that all children 16 and under attend school regularly).