School Absenteeism
Dear Editor, “Our Doors are always open” In response to the article in the “citizen” about absenteeism and low-test scores in the Grants Cibola County District, the answer is obvious “you can not teach an empty seat.” The meaning of this article is self-explanatory. When and where are the parents going to be held accountable?
In 2019 a state bill was introduced named, “The attendance for success act, to help with student attendance” (Maybe read on the New Mexico Public Education Department Website), has been enacted by the Grants-Cibola County School District to not much success. This act, requires school districts and charter schools to classify each student into one of the four attendance intervention tiers, based on the percentage of class periods and school day absences. For example: Tier 1 students with less than five percent days missed, Tier 2 five percent to nine percent, tier 3 10 percent to 19 percent, and Tier 4, 20 percent or more.
In the state of New Mexico, “No student shall be absent from schoolsponsored interscholastic and extracurricular activities in excess of fifteen days per semester and no class shall be missed in excess of fifteen (15) times per semester.” Most school districts allow students to be absent for up to 10 percent of the school year, provided the absence are excused. The standard school year lasts for 180 days, so a student is allowed eighteen (18) excused absences. (State standard since July 11, 2021). The Grants Cibola County School District uses an Early Warning System to track and notify parents of the number of, absences each child has during the school year. The Early Warning System places phone calls, sends letters, and notifies the Child Youth and Family Department if the children exceed the number of absences set in the attendance for success act. So, the Grants Cibola County School District is following state statute. Also, there is a law of educational neglect plus everyday a student is absent it costs the school district funding.
This is not just a New Mexico problem but a national problem. Our Nation has been at-risk to stay ahead of foreign nations, but as a nation we have been slipping since the 1970’s. Teachers can teach to an empty seat but don’t blame the teachers that seats are empty.
Besides education the educational systems supply, emotional and social support, breakfast and lunch, weekend food, clothing, dental care, afterschool care, jackets and coats, backpacks, school supplies, shoes and socks, glasses, technology Chromebooks and internet etc. This does not count of what teachers supply in their classrooms with their money. Don’t blame the educational system or teachers. Instead “Thank a teacher.”
Lastly, students want to come to school. Students like school, friends are there, activities are there, people who care are there, food is there, and schools are a safe place for young people. When a student is absent, call the parent to see why but, be ready for an excuse. Remember: “School Doors Are Always Open.”
L. Pedersen