How School Attendance Impacts Student Success
How School Attendance Impacts Student Success
Regular school attendance is directly linked to academic achievement, but school is about more than just grades. It’s also a place for students to develop social and emotional skills. Attending regularly helps students build habits that will set them up for success now and in the future.
Check Out the Numbers
Check Out the Numbers
• Missing 10% of school days for any reason (excused or unexcused) is known as “chronic absenteeism”.
• Research shows that missing 10% of school days (approx. 18 days per school year or 2 days a month) negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
• By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
Source: Attendance Works
Supporting Student Attendance and Well-Being at OCSB
Supporting Student Attendance and Well-Being at OCSB
At the OCSB, we are committed to supporting each student’s well-being and academic success. We understand the importance of student attendance and its connection to each individual’s social, emotional and mental development. We believe school success is deeply rooted in the well-being of our students; when their physical, emotional and social needs are nurtured, they are better positioned to succeed both in and out of the classroom.
The Importance of Regular Attendance
Attending school provides opportunities for academic success and learning, social interaction, skill development, and access to resources. We recognize and value the importance of student attendance and engagement, as regular attendance at school helps build a foundation for future academic and social success.
The Education Act stipulates that students from six to eighteen years of age attend school regularly and that efforts are made to engage students who are absent from school.
The OCSB recognizes that students and families experience different barriers and challenges that may impact a student’s ability to attend school regularly. Regardless of the reason your child may be struggling, we are here to help!
Customized Assistance for Students and Their Families
We offer a variety of supports that can be tailored to a student’s individual needs, and we want to work with families to ensure that their children feel welcomed and engaged at school.
If your child is struggling to attend school regularly, please reach out to the classroom teacher or the school Principal so we can figure out together what supports can be put in place to help your child.
Essential Resources for Parents:
Supporting Your Child’s Educational Journey
Essential Resources for Parents:
Supporting Your Child’s Educational Journey
Did You Know?
|
If your child misses 1 day =20 days per school year/ 4 weeks per year/ 1.5 years of missed schooling by the end of grade 12 |
If your child misses 1 day =40 days per school year/ 8 weeks per year/ 2.5 years of missed schooling by the end of grade 12 |
If your child misses 2 days =80 days per school year/ 16 weeks per year/ nearly 5 years of missed schooling by the end of grade 12 |
Did You Know?
If your child misses 1 day
every 2 weeks
=
20 days per school year/ 4 weeks per year/ 1.5 years of missed schooling by the end of grade 12
If your child misses 1 day
each week
=
40 days per school year/ 8 weeks per year/ 2.5 years of missed schooling by the end of grade 12
If your child misses 2 days
each week
=
80 days per school year/ 16 weeks per year/ nearly 5 years of missed schooling by the end of grade 12
Access the OCSB Resources About Attendance
For Kindergarten:
Talking With Your Young Learner About School ›
For Kindergarten to Grade 6:
Supporting Your Young Learner’s Transition to School ›
Talking With Your Young Learner About School ›
For Grades 7 and 8:
Attend Today, Succeed Tomorrow ›
For Grades 9 to 12:
All Grades:
Supporting Regular School Attendance ›
Supportive Statements to Help With Transitions ›
Tech Use, Sleep and School Attendance ›
More Resources for All Grades:
Attendance Works:
Help Your Child Succeed in Preschool and Kindergarten – Build the Habit of Good Attendance ›
Help Your Child Succeed in School: Build the Habit of Good Attendance Early ›
Keep Your Child On Track in Middle and High School: Pay Attention to Attendance ›
Website: Family Care Centre by Children’s Mental Health Ontario and Parents for Children’s Mental Health (PCMH)
School Avoidance: Supporting Kids Who Avoid School ›
Website: Child Mind Institute
When Kids Refuse to Go to School: How to Recognize What’s Called “School Refusal” and How to Get Kids Back in Class ›
Flusterclux Podcast with Lynn Lyons
Lynn Lyons is a psychotherapist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders in adults and children:
School Avoidance: When it’s Anxiety-Related, How Can You Help? ›
After You Get Your Anxious Kid to School, How Do You Keep Them There? ›
Ontario Ministry of Education
Attendance Requirements
Ontario Ministry of Education Attendance Requirements
In Ontario, all schools and school boards follow ministry-mandated guidelines related to attendance. Subsection 21(1) of the provincial Education Act states that children aged 6 – 17 must attend school, unless excused. Students must continue to attend school until they reach the age of 18 or until they graduate.
When a student of compulsory school age has been absent from school for a prolonged period without medical documentation, the Education Act requires all Ontario schools to maintain regular reciprocal contact with the student’s parent/ guardian. In addition, a board appointed Attendance Counselor is required to make contact with the student’s parent/ guardian in order for the student to remain registered at school.
Once contact with the parent/ guardian has been established, the attendance counsellor will make efforts to better understand the factors contributing to the student’s absence and work collaboratively with the family on next steps. In situations where reciprocal contact cannot be maintained between the school and the parent/guardian, the school is required to deregister the student, as mandated by the Education Act.
