Post on 24-Feb-2016
description
River East Transcona SD Attendance ProjectFunded by Manitoba EducationAttendance Initiative Grant2011-2013
RETSD Attendance ProjectProject Initiator: Joan Trubyk, Assistant Superintendent Student Services
Project Lead: Connie Boutet, Manager Student Services
Project Participants:
Year 1: Sara McGowan, Attendance Facilitator
Year 2: Salisbury Morse Place School Marjorie Millman, Principal Libby Powell, Guidance Counsellor Michelle Juarez, Attendance Facilitator
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Background In June, 2011 RETSD was awarded a two-year
Attendance Initiative Grant by ME to develop strategies that address school attendance issues
As there are many possible reasons for student absence from school, a Needs Assessment was conducted to identify the specific barriers to school attendance within the RETSD community
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Project Goals
Year 1 To identify the major factors contributing to student absences in RETSD
Year 2To use this information to develop and implement interventions that will improve student attendance
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Target Group Early years students (K to Grade 6) Absence rate between 10 and 20% in 2010-
2011
Rationale Proactive, early intervention before attendance
problems become chronic and intractable
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Procedures Divisional data were compiled to identify the
population of K to 6 students who had a 10-20% absence rate from school the previous year
Random sample of 25 students (representing 18 schools) was selected for participation
Attendance Facilitator was hired to gather data through Pupil file review (school attendance history) and interviews with school staff and parent/guardian
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Data Collected1. Level of concern expressed by school
staff and parent/guardian2. Reasons for student absence3. Interventions to improve attendance4. Comparison of school and home
perspectives
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Results: LEVEL OF CONCERN Most schools were Not Concerned or
Slightly Concerned about the student’s absences (60%)
Most parents/guardians Not Concerned or Slightly Concerned about absences (20/25)
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1School Trends If students missed a couple of non-
consecutive days per month, absences often went undetected
If parent/guardian typically called to inform the school of their child’s absence, school not usually concerned
If student was doing well academically and socially, school not concerned about absences
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Parent Trends Some parents felt justified in keeping their
children out of school (e.g., birthdays, family trips, practice for community play)
Several parents kept their child home during cold weather
If one sibling missed school, often the others would too
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1School Results: Top 3 REASONS FOR STUDENT ABSENCE
#1 Home-Based Factors 14/25 Limited parenting skills Parent works nights Parent has chronic illness (physical or mental) Parent is overwhelmed Parent needs child’s help at home Child allowed to stay home for minor illness
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1#2 School Not Valued 5/25 Parent/family doesn’t value regular school
attendance
#3 Disconnect With School 3/25 Student feels unconnected/unwanted at school Student feels unsuccessful at school Student or parent reports bullying Parent is angry with the school
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Parent Results: REASONS FOR ABSENCE#1 Home-Based Factors 14/25 Overwhelmed with life stress Minimal supports Minor illness of child#2 Disconnect With School 4/25#3 Family Breakdown or Crisis
6/25Student Affected by Mental HealthSchool Not Valued
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Results: INTERVENTIONS TRIED
Majority of schools reported few or no interventions to address student’s absences
Most frequently reported were Principal Called Home or Classroom Teacher Called Home
Majority of parents reported few or no interventions A few sought help from neighbors, friends, family
or an outside agency
Divisional Recommendations for 2012-2013
1. Implement evidence-based school-wide and classroom interventions to improve student attendance (universal population)
2. Better system for tracking student attendance at each school; early identification and follow-up of students with poor attendance (targeted population)
3. Parent education regarding importance of regular school attendance.
Divisional Recommendations for 2012-2013
5. Connect students and families with divisional and community resources
6. Partner with community agencies to provide parents with education and support to address the more common reasons for student absence (e.g., minor illness and family stress)
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2
Welcome to Salisbury Morse Place School!
Marjorie Millman - Principal Libby Powell - Middle Years Guidance
Counsellor Michelle Juarez - Attendance Facilitator
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2
Salisbury Morse Place School
Located in the East Kildonan community Serves Kindergarten - Grade 8 Dual track school Working class area Two Manitoba housing complexes in area Numerous rental and side by side houses Culturally diverse population/large newcomer
population
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place SchoolIssues being addressed:
Student attendance- Tracking of and intervention with K to 8 students who missed 10% or more of school each month from September- January
Parental involvement- Educating parents on the importance of regular school attendance and providing supports - brochures, list of community resources, web and newsletter information
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place SchoolMethods to address issues:1. Part-time Attendance Facilitator hired(Nov- Mar)2. Data collection - looking at attendance records at
the end of every month3. Conducting student interviews - listening to the
child’s voice and reasons for missing school4. School’s responsibility - secretaries make phone
calls home daily; school staff involved in meeting with parents, letters sent home, staff speaking to students, referring to SS supports; staff recognizing students at assemblies, use of truant officers
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place SchoolInterventions: Interviews- were conducted with students
who missed 10% or more in a month Follow-ups- were conducted with students
in grades 6-8 whose attendance declined from October-December
Alarm clocks- were purchased for those students (Gr. 6-8) who said they didn’t have one and could make use of one
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place SchoolInterventions: Attendance letter - was sent out in January for
parents of K-5 students explaining the role of the Attendance Facilitator and the importance of regular school attendance
Attendance information - was placed on the school’s website and inserted in school newsletters
Certificates and rewards - students with perfect or improved attendance were recognized during school assemblies (certificates, rewards)
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place SchoolInterventions: Attendance Brochures- were given to
students who were interviewed Presentations - Attendance Facilitator
spoke on attendance issues during Kindergarten open house, Grade 6 open house, as well as Parent Association Meeting; brochures were also distributed at this time
Attendance posters - were purchased and placed in high traffic areas
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place SchoolInterventions:Continue use of: Truant Officer-divisional officer used
with students who miss 20% or more Staff members- secretaries making
phone calls home everyday, teachers making phone calls home when notice a pattern of students missing, letters being sent home, meeting with parents
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place School Average number of students missing 10%
or more per month
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place School Average Absence By Month (Overall)Note n = 81 to 85 (depending on the month).
Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan0
0
0
19%22%
19%
24% 25%
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place School Interview DataTotal number of interviews conducted = 68Composed of open-ended questions: What does your household look like? How do you get to school? What is your morning routine? Who wakes you up? Do you use an alarm clock? Is there anything the school could do to help
you improve your attendance?
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place School Student Interviews Conducted by Grade
Grade # of interviews
Kindergarten 6Grade 1 5Grade 2 4Grade 3 4Grade 4 6Grade 5 3Grade 6 12Grade 7 9Grade 8 18
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place School Interview responses were recorded and categorized into the following reasons:- Home-based factors - Student affected by mental illness- Student affected by addictions- Disconnect from school- School not valued- Illness- Weather related- Family breakdown/crisis- Family vacation
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place School Reasons for Absence
ILL SNV FBC HBF DWS FV SAMH WR0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
38%
27%
14%
8%
3% 3% 3% 3%
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place School Follow-Up:Meetings were held with principal, attendance facilitator, guidance counsellor and manager of SSU to problem-solve/develop intervention plan for each student
Possible Outcomes: Referrals to Student Services (social work,
psychology) Follow-up with Attendance Facilitator Follow-up with Guidance Counsellor
RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place School Progress
Worsened Stayed the Same Improved0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
40%
12%
48%
Lessons Learned (so far)
Social issues, emotional difficulties, mental health problems and poverty are contributing factors to absenteeism in our school community.
Challenges Getting students and parents to understand the
importance of regular school attendance and arriving to school on time
Staff is often unable to contact parents Teachers finding the time to record when a
student is absent or late and any contact with parents
Because of the large newcomer population, language barriers are often present, unaware of the importance of school attendance and laws
SustainabilityDepends on… More parental education and involvement Teacher commitment to continue to make
phone calls home for those students who have unexplained absences
Availability of guidance counsellor (or some other staff person) to track and follow-up with attendance issues
Sustainability Frequent and continued recognition of
students with improved or perfect attendance
Willingness of school staff to continue to build relationships with students and their parents/ guardians
Identify and work with students who have chronic tardiness as this often leads to absenteeism
Sustainability Continue to use Truant Officer for those
students who miss 20% of more Development of a Divisional
Attendance Committee with the goal of partnering with schools and other groups(CFS, Police, Social Assistance, Housing, etc.)
THE ENDContact information:
Marjorie MillmanSalisbury Morse Place School795 Prince Rupert Ave.Winnipeg, ManitobaR2K 1W6Phone: 204.668.9304mmillman@retsd.mb.ca