Central Texas students' absences cost districts millions

     Recently, there has been much concern about the money allotted to Texas schools, or lack thereof.  One reason for the lack of funding is that absenteeism among Texas students is extremely high. On average, students missed around six days of school per year, with most absences coming from children from low-income families (who missed around fifteen days per year). Hispanic children missed the most with an average of fourteen days, followed by African Americans with thirteen days, whites with nine days, and Asians with six days. 

     Improving school attendance means more money for schools.  Even just three days of absence per student can cost up to thirty-four million dollars. Austin area schools have implemented a program called Every Day Counts in order to increase attendance rates. Perfect attendance would mean anywhere from fifty to sixty million dollars. The program utilizes home visits and contests to encourage students to come to school when they are healthy. Over the last three years, improvements have yielded over two million dollars for Austin schools. Another program, Get Schooled, targets 7^th through 10^th graders and includes a seven-week challenge that tracks weekly attendance.  Prizes include celebrity wake-up calls. The program encourages students to get more involved in their classes and school organizations as well.

     There are numerous other benefits to improving attendance. Students have more opportunities to learn, have a brighter future, and are less likely to engage in delinquent behaviors. Schools will need to discourage non-emergency absences, but stress the importance of keeping a child home if they are too ill, as this will just spread the illness around to other students. Monthly contests are the ideal as they allow a student who was absent in one month to have a chance to win the following month. Any “delinquent” students will be assigned a mentor that will support and encourage them to attend school and get involved. Any time a student is absent, they will receive a call from the school and if they are not ill, they will be asked to be dropped off and school or someone from the school will pick them up.

     I believe that it is extremely important to intervene at the earliest possible stage. Studies have shown that students who are absent from school are more likely to drop out before receiving a degree and therefore will have less opportunity in their lives. Parents should be encouraged to get involved at home. Students should view school in a positive light.  Teachers should provide exciting lesson plans and opportunities for learning. While I think the contests will work in the short-term, I don’t believe that “bribing” our youth to attend school is the way to go. I never received anything for attending school or making good grades other than knowing that I was increasing my chance of being successful later in life. I believe this came from a proper up-bringing and parents who believed in me and wanted to see me succeed.  I think that this article (http://www.statesman.com/news/education/central-texas-students-absences-cost-districts-millions-2417438.html) is important for all citizens to read as it has opened my eyes to the dramatic effect that school absences can have, not only on the school system, but also in the life of each student.