Chronic Absenteeism

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids missed 5 days each time they got COVID from their classmates. This really doesn't help, but it is the new normal.

Chronic absenteeism starts at 18 days absent per year.

They got COVID 3 times and were sick a couple of other days so they qualify. Unfortunately, this is the new post-pandemic normal.

Why would getting covid a few times make someone chronically absent? The guidelines are to return 24 hours after the fever subsides.

I’m not that poster but that’s a fairly new guideline. My kids had Covid last September and the guideline was 5 days so they missed a whole week. Honestly I ended up being a little pissed I kept them home because the teachers really made it difficult to make up the missed work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids were also all tagged with chronic absenteeism. They count it as a day absent if you miss any periods. So that’s 6 orthodontic appointments plus 1 regular doctors appointment plus 2 dental appointments plus one week out with Covid plus one week out with stomach virus plus a couple more days out with minor cold or headaches, plus a few that were subs that failed to properly take attendance . It was pretty easy to get to 18 days in a year.

I just think the whole exercise is meaningless because of how they count absences. They should have one category for excused absences. Then a different category of kids that are chronically out with excused illness, which should probably be a higher trigger and not include partial day absences (eg doctors appointment during gym period ).

What difference does it make? If a kid is absent, for whatever reason, they aren't in school learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids were also all tagged with chronic absenteeism. They count it as a day absent if you miss any periods. So that’s 6 orthodontic appointments plus 1 regular doctors appointment plus 2 dental appointments plus one week out with Covid plus one week out with stomach virus plus a couple more days out with minor cold or headaches, plus a few that were subs that failed to properly take attendance . It was pretty easy to get to 18 days in a year.

I just think the whole exercise is meaningless because of how they count absences. They should have one category for excused absences. Then a different category of kids that are chronically out with excused illness, which should probably be a higher trigger and not include partial day absences (eg doctors appointment during gym period ).

Medical absences with a note don’t count.

DS (class of ‘24) missed a couple classes a week sophomore year. He had a note every time. Zero issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids were also all tagged with chronic absenteeism. They count it as a day absent if you miss any periods. So that’s 6 orthodontic appointments plus 1 regular doctors appointment plus 2 dental appointments plus one week out with Covid plus one week out with stomach virus plus a couple more days out with minor cold or headaches, plus a few that were subs that failed to properly take attendance . It was pretty easy to get to 18 days in a year.

I just think the whole exercise is meaningless because of how they count absences. They should have one category for excused absences. Then a different category of kids that are chronically out with excused illness, which should probably be a higher trigger and not include partial day absences (eg doctors appointment during gym period ).

Medical absences with a note don’t count.

DS (class of ‘24) missed a couple classes a week sophomore year. He had a note every time. Zero issues.

There are always zero issues (consequences). This is kind of the problem. When I was in HS, I don't recall the penalty, but I remember thinking hell would reign down if I skipped a class/day. I think a couple of unexcused absences turned very quickly into suspension. In MCPS HS, I honestly don't always even send in the sick note because excused and unexcused absences are counted the same way, and that's with no consequences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:would a modified loss of credit policy work? Modified so that students with real barriers will be given a plan that works for them but students who skip class "because they can" would possibly loss credit for the class?

MCPS teacher here who began working when we could threaten an E3… read the OLD policy below:

“In compliance with the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Attendance Policy/Grading and Reporting Policy, parents will receive three day and five day notifications of unlawful absences. If your student has fewer than five (5) unlawful (unexcused) absences, it is considered a warning. If your student has five (5) or more unlawful (unexcused) absences, your student is in danger of receiving a failing grade. If this happens, students will receive an “E3” on their final semester grade only to designate the attendance failure.
Please remember that students have three (3) days after returning to school from being absent to present a note to the attendance secretary excusing the absence.
Remember that three (3) unexcused tardies equals one (1) unlawful absence.“ (https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/rockvillehs/uploadedfiles/academics/attendance20policy.pdf)

Believe it or not: This worked. Kids did not skip class because they knew they wouldn’t pass. MCPS got rid of it bc it was “racist” which I disagree with.

They need to bring this back AND we need parents who actually care. I have met with so many parents who “didn’t know” their kid was skipping. Which is pretty hard to believe with all the required communication MCPS sends home. Parents need to quit playing dumb and parent their kids. Society is going to pot.

[Anonymous]

Meh. If a bright kid can skip class and still maintain a 4.0 (and higher with honors/APs that everyone is now encouraged to take, even when they don't beling there), attending the class is clearly not that important. I get that it is important for some, but with all the differentiation that is supposed to happen (in reality, those at the bottom get all the attention), I don't see the need for my high flyer to waste their time being bored

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids missed 5 days each time they got COVID from their classmates. This really doesn't help, but it is the new normal.

Yep this is the elephant in the room everyone would just rather not talk about. We have a new disease that makes kids sick, it spreads rampantly in schools, schools don't do anything to stop the spread or even keep ill kids home ...aaaand we wonder why we have an absentee problem.

It's the covid, stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids missed 5 days each time they got COVID from their classmates. This really doesn't help, but it is the new normal.

Yep this is the elephant in the room everyone would just rather not talk about. We have a new disease that makes kids sick, it spreads rampantly in schools, schools don't do anything to stop the spread or even keep ill kids home ...aaaand we wonder why we have an absentee problem.

It's the covid, stupid.

This should not be included. This would be an EXCUSED absence. We are talking about unexcused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Meh. If a bright kid can skip class and still maintain a 4.0 (and higher with honors/APs that everyone is now encouraged to take, even when they don't beling there), attending the class is clearly not that important. I get that it is important for some, but with all the differentiation that is supposed to happen (in reality, those at the bottom get all the attention), I don't see the need for my high flyer to waste their time being bored

Parents like you are the problem. That’s like saying, “I’m good at my job so I can work from home.” When “working from home” is not an option for the job you applied for. Public school attendance is required. If your kid doesn’t want to attend the building, please unenroll and homeschool your child.

THIS is what is wrong with our culture in society.

[Anonymous]

lol, my kids and I are not the problem. One is doing well an a top 10, and the other 2 are coasting (a second will start at a top 10 in the Fall). MCPS dumbed down the curriculum to the lowest common denominator years ago. The smart ones get it, don't need to do any homework, get As on exams (and even figure out that with a 54 or 63 on a midterm or last test), can still get an A for the semester or year.
MCPS realized this when they got rid of real mid-terms and finals. They are so busy keeping to the rubric and teaching to the test (for the lowest common denominator), that they gave up on learning for learnings sake long ago

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh. If a bright kid can skip class and still maintain a 4.0 (and higher with honors/APs that everyone is now encouraged to take, even when they don't beling there), attending the class is clearly not that important. I get that it is important for some, but with all the differentiation that is supposed to happen (in reality, those at the bottom get all the attention), I don't see the need for my high flyer to waste their time being bored

Parents like you are the problem. That’s like saying, “I’m good at my job so I can work from home.” When “working from home” is not an option for the job you applied for. Public school attendance is required. If your kid doesn’t want to attend the building, please unenroll and homeschool your child.

THIS is what is wrong with our culture in society.

My kid started school virtually in 2020-2021 and this idea is nutty. If someone’s kid doesn’t want to “attend the building” there needs to be serious work done about why. The list is long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh. If a bright kid can skip class and still maintain a 4.0 (and higher with honors/APs that everyone is now encouraged to take, even when they don't beling there), attending the class is clearly not that important. I get that it is important for some, but with all the differentiation that is supposed to happen (in reality, those at the bottom get all the attention), I don't see the need for my high flyer to waste their time being bored

Parents like you are the problem. That’s like saying, “I’m good at my job so I can work from home.” When “working from home” is not an option for the job you applied for. Public school attendance is required. If your kid doesn’t want to attend the building, please unenroll and homeschool your child.

THIS is what is wrong with our culture in society.

My kid started school virtually in 2020-2021 and this idea is nutty. If someone’s kid doesn’t want to “attend the building” there needs to be serious work done about why. The list is long.

They aren't talking about virtual school. This parent is saying they don't care if their child attends school or not. This is the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:lol, my kids and I are not the problem. One is doing well an a top 10, and the other 2 are coasting (a second will start at a top 10 in the Fall). MCPS dumbed down the curriculum to the lowest common denominator years ago. The smart ones get it, don't need to do any homework, get As on exams (and even figure out that with a 54 or 63 on a midterm or last test), can still get an A for the semester or year.
MCPS realized this when they got rid of real mid-terms and finals. They are so busy keeping to the rubric and teaching to the test (for the lowest common denominator), that they gave up on learning for learnings sake long ago

Actually the other person is right. Parents like you contribute to the culture that creates the SYSTEMWIDE problem of chronic absenteeism. Our culture right now says that school is optional, which is toxic and leads to madness. Just because your kids can handle skipping does not make it right. Grow up and parent your kids to meet the expectation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:lol, my kids and I are not the problem. One is doing well an a top 10, and the other 2 are coasting (a second will start at a top 10 in the Fall). MCPS dumbed down the curriculum to the lowest common denominator years ago. The smart ones get it, don't need to do any homework, get As on exams (and even figure out that with a 54 or 63 on a midterm or last test), can still get an A for the semester or year.
MCPS realized this when they got rid of real mid-terms and finals. They are so busy keeping to the rubric and teaching to the test (for the lowest common denominator), that they gave up on learning for learnings sake long ago

Actually the other person is right. Parents like you contribute to the culture that creates the SYSTEMWIDE problem of chronic absenteeism. Our culture right now says that school is optional, which is toxic and leads to madness. Just because your kids can handle skipping does not make it right. Grow up and parent your kids to meet the expectation.

This is what happens when you remove consequences and lower the bar for everyone. Students can miss 50 days of school per year unexcused, fail all summative exams and state level tests and still pass and be promoted to the next grade. Who cares if they can barely read or do math? They aren't retained, cut from sports teams, threatened with a visit from truancy, or anything else. In fact, these are usually the same kids who are celebrated for doing the bare minimum on the days they do bother to come to school. Why on earth should a straight A student who wakes up with a scratchy throat drag themselves in when they can just go online, access the lesson plans, and turn in their assignments?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:would a modified loss of credit policy work? Modified so that students with real barriers will be given a plan that works for them but students who skip class "because they can" would possibly loss credit for the class?

MCPS teacher here who began working when we could threaten an E3… read the OLD policy below:

“In compliance with the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Attendance Policy/Grading and Reporting Policy, parents will receive three day and five day notifications of unlawful absences. If your student has fewer than five (5) unlawful (unexcused) absences, it is considered a warning. If your student has five (5) or more unlawful (unexcused) absences, your student is in danger of receiving a failing grade. If this happens, students will receive an “E3” on their final semester grade only to designate the attendance failure.
Please remember that students have three (3) days after returning to school from being absent to present a note to the attendance secretary excusing the absence.
Remember that three (3) unexcused tardies equals one (1) unlawful absence.“ (https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/rockvillehs/uploadedfiles/academics/attendance20policy.pdf)

Believe it or not: This worked. Kids did not skip class because they knew they wouldn’t pass. MCPS got rid of it bc it was “racist” which I disagree with.

They need to bring this back AND we need parents who actually care. I have met with so many parents who “didn’t know” their kid was skipping. Which is pretty hard to believe with all the required communication MCPS sends home. Parents need to quit playing dumb and parent their kids. Society is going to pot.

Was this explained in writing anywhere?