MCPS has no idea what it's doing when it comes to chronic absenteeism

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should make schools more engaging if they want kids to attend. Forcing it with punitive measures is a bad look. If your service is not very useful to students and parents, of course they won't use it as much. I don't see how chronic absenteeism per se is a problem at all. It's just a symptom of schools not being that fun or educational.

+1000. Our family learned during the chronic illness of a child (who missed a lot of school), that as far as "value-added, being present in the building added almost nothing to education (social peer relationships aside). DD could finish an entire school day's worth of lessons in 2 hrs.

Why go to school to sit in a chair for 4 extra hours a day? To listen to teacher spew racism or sexism or teach things incorrectly (especially in math & science)?

The whole "chronic absenteeism" problem analysis is backwards - it starts with how many are absent and how can we punish them enough to show up, when the real question should be "why are they missing school and what can we do to address the problems that cause chronic absenteeism?

Our school social workers and counselors bend over backwards to meet with families to find out what the school can do to help. There is no actual reason most of these kids miss school. No transportation issues (everyone lives within walking distance of school except for some special ed students who are bussed). No health issues. Nada. The parents just don’t care (and they’ll say so).

[Anonymous]

What's your solution, OP? What do you suggest?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should make schools more engaging if they want kids to attend. Forcing it with punitive measures is a bad look. If your service is not very useful to students and parents, of course they won't use it as much. I don't see how chronic absenteeism per se is a problem at all. It's just a symptom of schools not being that fun or educational.

+1000. Our family learned during the chronic illness of a child (who missed a lot of school), that as far as "value-added, being present in the building added almost nothing to education (social peer relationships aside). DD could finish an entire school day's worth of lessons in 2 hrs.

Why go to school to sit in a chair for 4 extra hours a day? To listen to teacher spew racism or sexism or teach things incorrectly (especially in math & science)?

The whole "chronic absenteeism" problem analysis is backwards - it starts with how many are absent and how can we punish them enough to show up, when the real question should be "why are they missing school and what can we do to address the problems that cause chronic absenteeism?

Our school social workers and counselors bend over backwards to meet with families to find out what the school can do to help. There is no actual reason most of these kids miss school. No transportation issues (everyone lives within walking distance of school except for some special ed students who are bussed). No health issues. Nada. The parents just don’t care (and they’ll say so).

So MCPS unenroll them. Or fail them. But MCPS is too chicken to do that at the level it should be done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should make schools more engaging if they want kids to attend. Forcing it with punitive measures is a bad look. If your service is not very useful to students and parents, of course they won't use it as much. I don't see how chronic absenteeism per se is a problem at all. It's just a symptom of schools not being that fun or educational.

+1000. Our family learned during the chronic illness of a child (who missed a lot of school), that as far as "value-added, being present in the building added almost nothing to education (social peer relationships aside). DD could finish an entire school day's worth of lessons in 2 hrs.

Why go to school to sit in a chair for 4 extra hours a day? To listen to teacher spew racism or sexism or teach things incorrectly (especially in math & science)?

The whole "chronic absenteeism" problem analysis is backwards - it starts with how many are absent and how can we punish them enough to show up, when the real question should be "why are they missing school and what can we do to address the problems that cause chronic absenteeism?

Our school social workers and counselors bend over backwards to meet with families to find out what the school can do to help. There is no actual reason most of these kids miss school. No transportation issues (everyone lives within walking distance of school except for some special ed students who are bussed). No health issues. Nada. The parents just don’t care (and they’ll say so).

How you know if there are no transportation issues, health issues, etc. You are blessed if you are waking distance and no health issues. We are not walking distance and a parent with health issues. You wouldn't know as we don't talk about it to people like you. And, we don't get bus so its a nightmare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should make schools more engaging if they want kids to attend. Forcing it with punitive measures is a bad look. If your service is not very useful to students and parents, of course they won't use it as much. I don't see how chronic absenteeism per se is a problem at all. It's just a symptom of schools not being that fun or educational.

+1000. Our family learned during the chronic illness of a child (who missed a lot of school), that as far as "value-added, being present in the building added almost nothing to education (social peer relationships aside). DD could finish an entire school day's worth of lessons in 2 hrs.

Why go to school to sit in a chair for 4 extra hours a day? To listen to teacher spew racism or sexism or teach things incorrectly (especially in math & science)?

The whole "chronic absenteeism" problem analysis is backwards - it starts with how many are absent and how can we punish them enough to show up, when the real question should be "why are they missing school and what can we do to address the problems that cause chronic absenteeism?

Our school social workers and counselors bend over backwards to meet with families to find out what the school can do to help. There is no actual reason most of these kids miss school. No transportation issues (everyone lives within walking distance of school except for some special ed students who are bussed). No health issues. Nada. The parents just don’t care (and they’ll say so).

How you know if there are no transportation issues, health issues, etc. You are blessed if you are waking distance and no health issues. We are not walking distance and a parent with health issues. You wouldn't know as we don't talk about it to people like you. And, we don't get bus so its a nightmare.

How do I know? I teach the kids. We have regular meetings with admin and support staff about chronically absent students. The social workers and counselors make home visits and they share the information with us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does no one see the irony of allowing homeschooling with next to zero oversight AND allowing straight up dropping out of school at 16 but cracking down on truancy? It's too silly.

What makes you think that homeschoolers have next to zero oversight?

Look at the requirements: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/homeschooling/procedures/

All they have to do is maintain a portfolio and review it twice a year. The portfolio can be truly almost anything. They do not actually test the kids to see if they have learned a thing.

[Anonymous]

So much pearl clutching and so little argumentation of why this is actually a problem. How many hours are spent dealing with disruptive behavior, pushing busywork, waiting around, and having a substitute put on a video to pass the time? More than I can count.

If you want to enforce your kid going to class, that's your business. I don't see the point of making this a big county wide initiative. Given all the disruption and disrespect that goes on in schools, I would rather the kids who don't want to be there take the day off. I don't think teachers should be at all obligated to accommodate unexcused absences but that's a wholly separate issue than cracking down on attendance for its own sake .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should make schools more engaging if they want kids to attend. Forcing it with punitive measures is a bad look. If your service is not very useful to students and parents, of course they won't use it as much. I don't see how chronic absenteeism per se is a problem at all. It's just a symptom of schools not being that fun or educational.

+1000. Our family learned during the chronic illness of a child (who missed a lot of school), that as far as "value-added, being present in the building added almost nothing to education (social peer relationships aside). DD could finish an entire school day's worth of lessons in 2 hrs.

Why go to school to sit in a chair for 4 extra hours a day? To listen to teacher spew racism or sexism or teach things incorrectly (especially in math & science)?

The whole "chronic absenteeism" problem analysis is backwards - it starts with how many are absent and how can we punish them enough to show up, when the real question should be "why are they missing school and what can we do to address the problems that cause chronic absenteeism?

Our school social workers and counselors bend over backwards to meet with families to find out what the school can do to help. There is no actual reason most of these kids miss school. No transportation issues (everyone lives within walking distance of school except for some special ed students who are bussed). No health issues. Nada. The parents just don’t care (and they’ll say so).

How you know if there are no transportation issues, health issues, etc. You are blessed if you are waking distance and no health issues. We are not walking distance and a parent with health issues. You wouldn't know as we don't talk about it to people like you. And, we don't get bus so its a nightmare.

How do I know? I teach the kids. We have regular meetings with admin and support staff about chronically absent students. The social workers and counselors make home visits and they share the information with us.

Ok, well this isn't mcps as they don't make home visits and they shouldn't be sharing everything with you and again, many families wouldn't talk to them. I know I wouldn't. Its not the schools business nor the teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should make schools more engaging if they want kids to attend. Forcing it with punitive measures is a bad look. If your service is not very useful to students and parents, of course they won't use it as much. I don't see how chronic absenteeism per se is a problem at all. It's just a symptom of schools not being that fun or educational.

+1000. Our family learned during the chronic illness of a child (who missed a lot of school), that as far as "value-added, being present in the building added almost nothing to education (social peer relationships aside). DD could finish an entire school day's worth of lessons in 2 hrs.

Why go to school to sit in a chair for 4 extra hours a day? To listen to teacher spew racism or sexism or teach things incorrectly (especially in math & science)?

The whole "chronic absenteeism" problem analysis is backwards - it starts with how many are absent and how can we punish them enough to show up, when the real question should be "why are they missing school and what can we do to address the problems that cause chronic absenteeism?

Our school social workers and counselors bend over backwards to meet with families to find out what the school can do to help. There is no actual reason most of these kids miss school. No transportation issues (everyone lives within walking distance of school except for some special ed students who are bussed). No health issues. Nada. The parents just don’t care (and they’ll say so).

How you know if there are no transportation issues, health issues, etc. You are blessed if you are waking distance and no health issues. We are not walking distance and a parent with health issues. You wouldn't know as we don't talk about it to people like you. And, we don't get bus so its a nightmare.

How do I know? I teach the kids. We have regular meetings with admin and support staff about chronically absent students. The social workers and counselors make home visits and they share the information with us.

Ok, well this isn't mcps as they don't make home visits and they shouldn't be sharing everything with you and again, many families wouldn't talk to them. I know I wouldn't. Its not the schools business nor the teachers.

BS. Sorry but it is my business as the child's teacher responsible for their education. If they aren't in school, that's a problem. Our staff does make home visits and we do have regular meetings about these students. These meetings take up a lot of my planning time which affects other students since I can't do grading, contact other parents, plan, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid will be chronically absent after Monday, when he misses one day for travel. All others were illness (including covid) plus one other travel day. Will we get a letter?

We got a letter for my 6 year old this fall for missing 6 days of school (for 2 different bouts of illness- bronchitis, pneumonia). That apparently equated to 10% of school days missed? And my kid is generally healthy- I can’t imagine how children with chronic health issues will manage if there is any eventual enforcement of this “policy.” At a minimum, there needs to be a differentiation between absences for a documented medical reason vs elective absences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does no one see the irony of allowing homeschooling with next to zero oversight AND allowing straight up dropping out of school at 16 but cracking down on truancy? It's too silly.

What makes you think that homeschoolers have next to zero oversight?

Look at the requirements: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/homeschooling/procedures/

All they have to do is maintain a portfolio and review it twice a year. The portfolio can be truly almost anything. They do not actually test the kids to see if they have learned a thing.

You have voluntarily chosen to submit to the rules of public school. You get resources for your child, a state diploma, IEP services, etc. and in exchange, standardized testing and attendance is required. Homeschoolers get none of those things, and in exchange they get to come meet twice a year with an obnoxious person who hates homeschooling but they get relative freedom. Without a diploma, kids need standardized testing in order to do anything but get a minimum wage job. I think you need to find another outlet for your rage about attendance requirements. If you are interested in homeschooling, fill out the form and see how "easy" it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid will be chronically absent after Monday, when he misses one day for travel. All others were illness (including covid) plus one other travel day. Will we get a letter?

We got a letter for my 6 year old this fall for missing 6 days of school (for 2 different bouts of illness- bronchitis, pneumonia). That apparently equated to 10% of school days missed? And my kid is generally healthy- I can’t imagine how children with chronic health issues will manage if there is any eventual enforcement of this “policy.” At a minimum, there needs to be a differentiation between absences for a documented medical reason vs elective absences.

Kids with chronic illnesses can get 504 plans for it. 10% of the school year is 18 missed days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does no one see the irony of allowing homeschooling with next to zero oversight AND allowing straight up dropping out of school at 16 but cracking down on truancy? It's too silly.

What makes you think that homeschoolers have next to zero oversight?

Look at the requirements: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/homeschooling/procedures/

All they have to do is maintain a portfolio and review it twice a year. The portfolio can be truly almost anything. They do not actually test the kids to see if they have learned a thing.

You have voluntarily chosen to submit to the rules of public school. You get resources for your child, a state diploma, IEP services, etc. and in exchange, standardized testing and attendance is required. Homeschoolers get none of those things, and in exchange they get to come meet twice a year with an obnoxious person who hates homeschooling but they get relative freedom. Without a diploma, kids need standardized testing in order to do anything but get a minimum wage job. I think you need to find another outlet for your rage about attendance requirements. If you are interested in homeschooling, fill out the form and see how "easy" it is.

You are really just proving my point by emphasizing how few resources, services, and education are available to these kids. If the state actually cares about ensuring an education for everyone, they would not allow this. Parents are the ones opting out (possibly against the best interest of the child) just like parents are the ones allowing a bunch of skipping. Either you trust parents to provide an education to their kids or you don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I think that a lot of kids are marked absent when they aren't. I track my kid through their phone and I know they are at school as I can see the tests and other things completed online. I gave up fixing it.

This is what we are saying. I know my daughter is at school. I repeatedly tried to correct it, and got tired of the stupidity of it all. It was never like this before this year. In trying to correct one issue, they created more.

You DO know that kids can be at school and be absent, right? Just because they are “in the building” doesn’t count as present. They actually have to go to class. There are kids who probably get 20,000 steps in a day due to wandering the halls, stairwells or other places they shouldn’t be. In a high school of 2,000+, no one can make your kid go to class. Your child is most likely gaslighting you into thinking they aren't skipping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should make schools more engaging if they want kids to attend. Forcing it with punitive measures is a bad look. If your service is not very useful to students and parents, of course they won't use it as much. I don't see how chronic absenteeism per se is a problem at all. It's just a symptom of schools not being that fun or educational.

+1000. Our family learned during the chronic illness of a child (who missed a lot of school), that as far as "value-added, being present in the building added almost nothing to education (social peer relationships aside). DD could finish an entire school day's worth of lessons in 2 hrs.

Why go to school to sit in a chair for 4 extra hours a day? To listen to teacher spew racism or sexism or teach things incorrectly (especially in math & science)?

The whole "chronic absenteeism" problem analysis is backwards - it starts with how many are absent and how can we punish them enough to show up, when the real question should be "why are they missing school and what can we do to address the problems that cause chronic absenteeism?

Our school social workers and counselors bend over backwards to meet with families to find out what the school can do to help. There is no actual reason most of these kids miss school. No transportation issues (everyone lives within walking distance of school except for some special ed students who are bussed). No health issues. Nada. The parents just don’t care (and they’ll say so).

How you know if there are no transportation issues, health issues, etc. You are blessed if you are waking distance and no health issues. We are not walking distance and a parent with health issues. You wouldn't know as we don't talk about it to people like you. And, we don't get bus so its a nightmare.

How do I know? I teach the kids. We have regular meetings with admin and support staff about chronically absent students. The social workers and counselors make home visits and they share the information with us.

Ok, well this isn't mcps as they don't make home visits and they shouldn't be sharing everything with you and again, many families wouldn't talk to them. I know I wouldn't. Its not the schools business nor the teachers.

BS. Sorry but it is my business as the child's teacher responsible for their education. If they aren't in school, that's a problem. Our staff does make home visits and we do have regular meetings about these students. These meetings take up a lot of my planning time which affects other students since I can't do grading, contact other parents, plan, etc.

Never once have we had an mcps staff member visit our home or reach out. Half the teachers and staff do it return emails.