Georgia Children’s Advocacy Network (GA-CAN!) August 28, 2013

Why We Should Care

Georgia’s graduation rate: 67.4% Third lowest in the nation Graduation rate of students who miss 11-14 days :

61.08% Graduation rate of students who miss 15 or more

days: 38.09%

Sources: Education Week, 2013 ; Making Education Work for all Georgians www.gadoe.org

Georgia’s graduation breakdown

Students with disabilities: 30% Economically disadvantaged: 59% Black students: 60% Limited English proficiency: 32% White students: 72%

Source: Education Week, 2013

Chronic absenteeism vs. truancy

Chronic absence: missing 10% of school days for any reason- excused or unexcused (including suspensions)

Truancy: the act or condition of being absent without permission

Impact

Missing more than five days of school each year, regardless of the cause, begins to affect academic performance and attitudes about school.

Excused and unexcused absences have similar effects on a student’s performance.

The number of absences in the elementary years directly influence a student’s chances of passing state assessments.

Causes of absenteeism

Socio-economic factors:

Lack of access to healthcare (increase in illness related absences)

Lack of affordable housing (increase of precariously housed families or “couch-surfers.” The National Coalition of the Homeless estimates this may be as high as 1.65% - 4.7 million people - of the total population)

Lack of affordable childcare (older siblings staying home to care for younger children)

Pervasive economic disadvantage (lack of adequate nutrition, clothing, transportation; inability to pay fees)

Causes of absenteeism

Family/Parental factors:

Lack of parental educational achievement (low value placed on education)

Lack of parental supervision

Parental substance abuse

Domestic violence

Causes of absenteeism

School-based factors:

School climate - bullying, overuse of harsh disciplinary actions by school administration, a feeling by the student that he or she is unwanted.

Curricula - lack of interesting or challenging curricula or unidentified special education needs.

Causes of absenteeism

Community factors:

Community upheaval and social change

Loss of neighborhood schools and sense of 'ownership' of schools

Negative peer influences

High incidence of substance abuse, criminal activity

Gang activity

Inadequate provision for transportation

Beyond curriculum and teachers: What else do kids need from school to stay in school?