Case
Great grades, Bad attendance

There is one student in the class with exceptional grades. They are excelling in reading and math. However, they are on the verge of retainment due to excessive absences. I have spoken with the student and sent notes home to the parents. What could I do? I don't want the student held back.

Posted on: 10/10/17 | Views: 1018
Solution #1
Top Solution
To be honest, the most you can do is have a meeting with the parents and school administrator. If the parents arent sending their kid to school, the most you can do is try to convince them the importance because their child is about to be retained when he doesn't need to be. Call the parents until they answer.

That's right. The students parents need to hear about this.

Yes, having a meeting is kind of all you can do and stress the importance of attendance.

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Solution #2
Top Solution
This sounds like an underlying case of something else. I would call a parent teacher conference, with school personnel present. Do NOT attack or single out the parents, but instead explain the importance of getting their child to school. Perhaps it is a transportation issue, or something else. If the problem persists, I would suggest taking the case to the school's social worker. They are trained to handle cases just like this. In fact keeping your child deliberately from school is a case of abuse, and should be handled seriously.

I definitely agree with this solution above the other posted.

If I were in this situation, I would do exactly this. Parents need to be informed about the severity of the situation.

I agree with this solution.

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Solution #3
I would make a conference with the parents and also let the administration know what's been happening. If the parents are unresponsive maybe try and brainstorm possible solutions with your admin.

I like this idea.

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Solution #4
you said there was notes sent home? However, were those notes sent back to school with the parents signature so you know the parents are aware? unfortunately in this situation you can only do so much. A good conversations with the student would be good, and being honest with him or her letting them know the consequences to his or her actions when it comes down to missing class.
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Solution #5
Speaking with the student and sending notes home may not be enough. The student may not be giving the notes to their parents, they may forget or lose them. Do you require a parent signature on the notes or in an agenda to verify that the parent has received it? I would call the parents and schedule a parent teacher conference to discuss the issue.

I do like having required agenda signature as a step in the right direction.

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Solution #6
After sending notes home and talking to the student you should set up a conference with the parent and let them know that if their child continues to miss that much school that they will be help back no matter how well they are doing in the classes.
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Solution #7
The student may have things out of their control affecting their attendance or they may be bored at school and do not see the purpose in attending if they can achieve what needs to be done in less time than peers. I would search and discover the exact reason and go from their, but there is always a reason. I myself missed a lot of school time and did exceptionally well in school for reasons that we not exactly in my control.
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Solution #8
Alert school administrators of the situation.
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Solution #9
I would call home or express concern to administration. The student may be getting the academic attention they deserve elsewhere, as well.
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Solution #10
There is something bigger happening if the student is excessively absent. I'd hold a parent teacher conference and reiterate the importance of coming to school and the risks of the continuation of the absences. If this does not help, I would seek help from the administrators.
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Solution #11
I would pull the student aside and see why they haven't been coming to school and if its is urgent I would then talk to the principal to see if he or she can help this student out.

i agree with talking to the student as to why they are not coming and going to the principle if necessary. i also think a parent teacher conference should be set up.

I agree that talking to the student would be a good solution. Particularly since notes home haven't worked, so the student should be able to tell you something. If nothing else, they can explain why their parents haven't been answering the notes you've sent home.

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Solution #12
I hate to be a cynic here but there is not much you can do. Try having a meeting with the parents and administrators to see what things can be done! At the end of the day, all you can do is hope the parents will be more responsible for their smart student.
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Solution #13
This is a common problem I have seen throughout my internships. Typically it is the parent that is harming the child by not allowing the child to be in school. I would plan to have a conference with the parent and discuss the importance of being present in school and how it could possibly retain the student. There must be something more going on, if you feel that the child is being neglected I would report it.
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Solution #14
I would have a meeting with the parents and school administrator to find a solution to this major problem.
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Solution #15
Offer some incentives for attendance for the student. Get the administration involved because excessive absences should not be permitted by the school or the state.
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Solution #16
This student is probably bored in class because he or she knows the content well already. Having an advanced or more engaging activity for the student might motivate him or her to come to class more often.
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Solution #17
If parent contact has not helped the situation I would get administration involved and if issue continues contact the truancy office and see what can be done to help.
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Solution #18
I would give the student more challenging work or some opportunities to do something else that would add to their school experience or future plans as long as they came to class. See what interest the kid and start from there
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Solution #19
You can set up a behavior management plan where the student is given a sheet each week. The child gets a stamp at the end of every day, and if the child has 5 stamps at the end of the week then you can offer the student a bag of chips or a soda. I've seen other teachers have success with this system.

I do like the behavior management plan idea, with counting how many days the student is out.

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Solution #20
You can try to motivate this student and explain the position you have as his teacher. Let the student know that it is out of your control if he is retain because of absences.
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Solution #21
I would notify administration and get the parents in for a meeting. In this case, district polices would need referenced.
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Solution #22
I think that administration should be involved at this point, sending notes home probably does not work because the students already do not care about bringing their child to school so a conference should be held or contact the social worker for a home visit.
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Solution #23
Have a meeting with the parents in person. That will give everyone the best opportunity to discuss.

Yes, then you can see if maybe there is an issue or something else going on that you can address.

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Solution #24
This is very disappointing, keep encouraging the student to come to school and maybe talk to the principal about solutions.

I don't think that will be enough here.

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