Case
Students Checking Out Daily

I have a set of twins in my classroom who are very smart and very sweet girls. However, without fail, they check out at least 2 days a week before I teach science/social studies. This has become a problem as the year has gone on because they are missing instruction and I am constantly having to catch them up. I have spoken to their mom, but the situation has continued. I have also spoken to the school counselor to see if there was an attendance policy regarding this. Still nothing has been done. Because they are intelligent girls, they have been able to maintain an A/B average this school year, but I am very concerned about their scores on the upcoming end of the year standardized assessment How can I stress the importance of their attendance for those subject areas to their mom in a way that will cause her to quit checking them out for her own convenience?

Posted on: 03/15/15 | Views: 1010
Solution #1
Top Solution
I would speak with the parent again and make sure to emphasize how important it is for the students to stay in class. I would also make sure to point this out to a guidance counselor as well. He/she may be able to help. You may want to send the work for the day that they are missing home and have them do it for homework. The extra work they will have to do at home may be a deterrent for checking out.

This is an great solution! i will definitely use this in my classroom.

This is a very smart suggestion I would also use it.

If I were in this situation, I would take this approach to solve the problem.

I will use this solution in the future.

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Solution #2
Send home a reminder to all of the families about the importance of attendance. You can point out that leaving early twice a week can potentially add up to 16 hours of missed instruction every month! This type of perspective can be powerful. Furthermore, you can have the students stay in to complete missed assignments during Specials or other fun non-academic activities.
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Solution #3
You mentioned that you have spoken with the school counselor. Does your school have a policy to address this issue with the school's social worker? In my school system, the social worker handles excessive absences after submitting a referral.
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Solution #4
I would document every time they check out and the content that they are missing along with classroom experiences. The parents should be aware of the attendance policies and that checking out twice a week is unacceptable. If a conference and solution does not happen, all you can do is document and maybe explain to the students the importance. They may be able to offer more insight into what is going on. Maybe their schedule can be altered. It is really unfortunate and out of the girls hands because they have to listen to their parents and that is their transportation. You may find it helpful to call the district and see any district policies that are in place.
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Solution #5
I believe its best if you schedule a conference with the parent to express your concerns.
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Solution #6
I believe its best if you schedule a conference with the parent to express your concerns.
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Solution #7
One thing that you can do is possibly video tape the lessons and post them on your school's class website. With this if they continue their absences they have a place where they can still participate in the lessons. You can also post the homework online and have them bring in the homework the next day along with the other students.

This is an great solution! i will definitely use this in my classroom.

This I don't really agree with, students should not miss so much instruction that it is posted somewhere for them. It is and should be mandatory for them to come to class.

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