Roughly 25% of MCPS students are chronically absent, and absenteeism response plan delayed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe school districts are responsible to ensure kids attend school. That is a parenting issue. I'm sorry, but why waste money on some kind of plan? Parents can send their kids or not.

Yes, agree with this. Why should schools care at this point. Honestly, the ones who are chronically absent are probably the ones who are causing problems at the school so the more they're absent, the better.

Not really, cause then they're out in the community pushing drugs, robbing stores or carjacking.

Keeping kids in school is a public safety and community wellbeing issue and we all should care about it. This selfish mindset is why we're in the mess that we're in right now.

What do you expect the schools to do? For most of these kids (and their parents), they don't care what punishment is enforced. And honestly, why should my kid suffer having to deal with these kids at school when most of them don't even want to be there. My kid actually wants to learn unlike them.

Establish residential schools that ARE prisons. If our law says that school is mandatory, make it mandatory. Provide job training as well.

The ultimate school to prison pipeline!

Kids wandering the streets during the day are headed there on their own. At least my idea provides them with education, job training and will let them exit when they show responsibility.

yeah, let's go with that interpretation.

Uh, since I wrote the previous post, I kind of know what the interpretation is.

Sure. Own it.

[Anonymous]

And yet somehow they get passing grades. What a joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This issue is a huge part of the gaps in education weaning student groups. A student usually doesn’t learn well unless they are in school. The worst are the parents that go on vacation for a month in a home country in mid fall and late winter when plane tickets are cheap.

But this is exactly the problem. What is MCPS to do when this happens? Also, understand that the chronic absenteeism number has to be broken out because it doesn’t necessarily mean a student was absent all day. It also takes into account kids who are out for being sick. You only need 18days to be consider chronically absent.

Take the parents to court.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe school districts are responsible to ensure kids attend school. That is a parenting issue. I'm sorry, but why waste money on some kind of plan? Parents can send their kids or not.

Yes, agree with this. Why should schools care at this point. Honestly, the ones who are chronically absent are probably the ones who are causing problems at the school so the more they're absent, the better.

Not really, cause then they're out in the community pushing drugs, robbing stores or carjacking.

Keeping kids in school is a public safety and community wellbeing issue and we all should care about it. This selfish mindset is why we're in the mess that we're in right now.

What do you expect the schools to do? For most of these kids (and their parents), they don't care what punishment is enforced. And honestly, why should my kid suffer having to deal with these kids at school when most of them don't even want to be there. My kid actually wants to learn unlike them.

You should care for multiple reasons. These kids are part of our community and having kids mature into adults with no marketable skills is not good for anyone. Also, kids being absent a lot puts more stress on teachers because there is pressure to help these kids make up lost learning so these teachers are less available for your kid. Finally, teachers are under a lot of pressure to pass these kids which ultimately devalues the MCPS HS diploma

Tell me what "we" the parents of kids who care about school, should do to help make the kids who are chronically absent go to school. Like I said, all I can do is worry about my child; and really, as someone with a kid in ES, MS, and HS, I can tell you that teachers are not stressed out about absent kids. All they do (or can do) is give them a barely passing grade. This is hurting the chronically absent kids more than anyone. At some point, people need to take accountability for their OWN actions; and sorry but someone with no marketable skills isn't going to impact me or my child; now or in the future. We might not even be living here once my kid graduates high school.

Teachers are stressed out by chronic absenteeism. I know because I am a HS teacher. I have kids pop back into class the last couple weeks of the quarter and beg to make up enough work to pass or even get a C. There is a lot of pressure from counselors and administrators to help these kids pass. It is exhausting and frustrating and seems unfair to other students who come every day but might still have a C or D.

Yes! I'm so tired of my kids teachers being chronically absent!

I know it's funny. At my kids schools their teachers are out far more than any students.

I think many of the teachers at my kid's school are out at least once a week too. So their absent about 20% of the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get that this is an issue, but not the highest priority for the district. I agree with a poster above that if you crack down on this you would just get more dropouts. Honestly, kids who don’t want to be in class are better off not being there. We have enough disruptive students already.

Would love to see some data. Intuitively I’d think if there are consequences to skipping school fewer students would miss school. For every dropout, x amount of students would stay.

Regardless, 25 percent is a tragedy. That’s some horrible parenting

It used to be parents would be arrested for the truancy of their child and children. Ultimately the parents are responsible for getting their children to school and need to be held accountable. If the child wants to formally drop out and start working jobs at 16 then that is a different situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe school districts are responsible to ensure kids attend school. That is a parenting issue. I'm sorry, but why waste money on some kind of plan? Parents can send their kids or not.

Yes, agree with this. Why should schools care at this point. Honestly, the ones who are chronically absent are probably the ones who are causing problems at the school so the more they're absent, the better.

Not really, cause then they're out in the community pushing drugs, robbing stores or carjacking.

Keeping kids in school is a public safety and community wellbeing issue and we all should care about it. This selfish mindset is why we're in the mess that we're in right now.

What do you expect the schools to do? For most of these kids (and their parents), they don't care what punishment is enforced. And honestly, why should my kid suffer having to deal with these kids at school when most of them don't even want to be there. My kid actually wants to learn unlike them.

You should care for multiple reasons. These kids are part of our community and having kids mature into adults with no marketable skills is not good for anyone. Also, kids being absent a lot puts more stress on teachers because there is pressure to help these kids make up lost learning so these teachers are less available for your kid. Finally, teachers are under a lot of pressure to pass these kids which ultimately devalues the MCPS HS diploma

Tell me what "we" the parents of kids who care about school, should do to help make the kids who are chronically absent go to school. Like I said, all I can do is worry about my child; and really, as someone with a kid in ES, MS, and HS, I can tell you that teachers are not stressed out about absent kids. All they do (or can do) is give them a barely passing grade. This is hurting the chronically absent kids more than anyone. At some point, people need to take accountability for their OWN actions; and sorry but someone with no marketable skills isn't going to impact me or my child; now or in the future. We might not even be living here once my kid graduates high school.

Teachers are stressed out by chronic absenteeism. I know because I am a HS teacher. I have kids pop back into class the last couple weeks of the quarter and beg to make up enough work to pass or even get a C. There is a lot of pressure from counselors and administrators to help these kids pass. It is exhausting and frustrating and seems unfair to other students who come every day but might still have a C or D.

Yes! I'm so tired of my kids teachers being chronically absent!

I know it's funny. At my kids schools their teachers are out far more than any students.

I think many of the teachers at my kid's school are out at least once a week too. So they're absent about 20% of the time.

We had two teachers in MS out at least twice a week. Really bad year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get that this is an issue, but not the highest priority for the district. I agree with a poster above that if you crack down on this you would just get more dropouts. Honestly, kids who don’t want to be in class are better off not being there. We have enough disruptive students already.

Would love to see some data. Intuitively I’d think if there are consequences to skipping school fewer students would miss school. For every dropout, x amount of students would stay.

Regardless, 25 percent is a tragedy. That’s some horrible parenting

It used to be parents would be arrested for the truancy of their child and children. Ultimately the parents are responsible for getting their children to school and need to be held accountable. If the child wants to formally drop out and start working jobs at 16 then that is a different situation.

What is the school’s responsibility when a parent drops and picks up their child at school but the child skips classes during the school day? How can a parent know what is happening if the school doesn’t inform them of the absences?

Thank you for the MCPS response to blame parents while ignoring their own culpability. I have seen the under reporting of absences and lack of supervision of students in their care. The truancy rate in MCPS is underreported which should give concern as to how big the problem really is.

[Anonymous]

Students will rise up to the expectations set for them. If there is no consequences for unexcused tardies or unexcused absences then there’s a message that the behavior is acceptable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Students will rise up to the expectations set for them. If there is no consequences for unexcused tardies or unexcused absences then there’s a message that the behavior is acceptable.

This times 1000. I’m a teacher and I pulled my kid out of public schools because my kid was being rewarded for mediocrity (and earning As for meh work). It’s only gotten worse because there are no real consequences for behavior. Add in kids not coming to school and the pressure to pass everyone and it’s just such a mess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Students will rise up to the expectations set for them. If there is no consequences for unexcused tardies or unexcused absences then there’s a message that the behavior is acceptable.

This times 1000. I’m a teacher and I pulled my kid out of public schools because my kid was being rewarded for mediocrity (and earning As for meh work). It’s only gotten worse because there are no real consequences for behavior. Add in kids not coming to school and the pressure to pass everyone and it’s just such a mess.

Why are you posting on the MCPS forum?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Students will rise up to the expectations set for them. If there is no consequences for unexcused tardies or unexcused absences then there’s a message that the behavior is acceptable.

This times 1000. I’m a teacher and I pulled my kid out of public schools because my kid was being rewarded for mediocrity (and earning As for meh work). It’s only gotten worse because there are no real consequences for behavior. Add in kids not coming to school and the pressure to pass everyone and it’s just such a mess.

Why are you posting on the MCPS forum?

I teach in MCPS and I believe my view is valuable. Lots of parents just move to the county based on vague info about the school system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe school districts are responsible to ensure kids attend school. That is a parenting issue. I'm sorry, but why waste money on some kind of plan? Parents can send their kids or not.

Yes, agree with this. Why should schools care at this point. Honestly, the ones who are chronically absent are probably the ones who are causing problems at the school so the more they're absent, the better.

Not really, cause then they're out in the community pushing drugs, robbing stores or carjacking.

Keeping kids in school is a public safety and community wellbeing issue and we all should care about it. This selfish mindset is why we're in the mess that we're in right now.

What do you expect the schools to do? For most of these kids (and their parents), they don't care what punishment is enforced. And honestly, why should my kid suffer having to deal with these kids at school when most of them don't even want to be there. My kid actually wants to learn unlike them.

You should care for multiple reasons. These kids are part of our community and having kids mature into adults with no marketable skills is not good for anyone. Also, kids being absent a lot puts more stress on teachers because there is pressure to help these kids make up lost learning so these teachers are less available for your kid. Finally, teachers are under a lot of pressure to pass these kids which ultimately devalues the MCPS HS diploma

Tell me what "we" the parents of kids who care about school, should do to help make the kids who are chronically absent go to school. Like I said, all I can do is worry about my child; and really, as someone with a kid in ES, MS, and HS, I can tell you that teachers are not stressed out about absent kids. All they do (or can do) is give them a barely passing grade. This is hurting the chronically absent kids more than anyone. At some point, people need to take accountability for their OWN actions; and sorry but someone with no marketable skills isn't going to impact me or my child; now or in the future. We might not even be living here once my kid graduates high school.

Teachers are stressed out by chronic absenteeism. I know because I am a HS teacher. I have kids pop back into class the last couple weeks of the quarter and beg to make up enough work to pass or even get a C. There is a lot of pressure from counselors and administrators to help these kids pass. It is exhausting and frustrating and seems unfair to other students who come every day but might still have a C or D.

Yes! I'm so tired of my kids teachers being chronically absent!

I know it's funny. At my kids schools their teachers are out far more than any students.

I think many of the teachers at my kid's school are out at least once a week too. So they're absent about 20% of the time.

We had two teachers in MS out at least twice a week. Really bad year.

NP. I'm in a different district but saw the same scenario where I teach. My district no longer pays out unused sick time upon retirement or separation from teaching so no surprise people are burning their leave. We also have an issue with chronic absenteeism and there is no response plan. I would be curious to know how other large districts are handling it because it's happening everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Students will rise up to the expectations set for them. If there is no consequences for unexcused tardies or unexcused absences then there’s a message that the behavior is acceptable.

This times 1000. I’m a teacher and I pulled my kid out of public schools because my kid was being rewarded for mediocrity (and earning As for meh work). It’s only gotten worse because there are no real consequences for behavior. Add in kids not coming to school and the pressure to pass everyone and it’s just such a mess.

Why are you posting on the MCPS forum?

I teach in MCPS and I believe my view is valuable. Lots of parents just move to the county based on vague info about the school system.

And I teach in the heavens.

[Anonymous]

I believe there are admin and uncredentialed higher up that are paid to squash dissent and teacher opinions on this forum. They insult, dismiss and degrade teachers any time a teacher makes a comment to systemic issues that impede student learning. It just shows the severe lack of respect for the profession and you will not attract new teachers with that additude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe there are admin and uncredentialed higher up that are paid to squash dissent and teacher opinions on this forum. They insult, dismiss and degrade teachers any time a teacher makes a comment to systemic issues that impede student learning. It just shows the severe lack of respect for the profession and you will not attract new teachers with that additude.

Don't forget to replace the tinfoil hat when it gets loose!