Regular attendance in middle school is crucial for students' academic success and overall development. Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of the school year—approximately 18 days—can significantly hinder a student's learning trajectory. Studies consistently show a direct correlation between frequent absences and declining academic performance. Students who miss more than 10 days of school exhibit gaps in math scores close to two-thirds of a standard deviation compared to those with perfect attendance (Economic Policy Institute).
The repercussions of chronic absenteeism extend beyond immediate academic challenges. By sixth grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school (Attendance Works).
Parental Role in Promoting Attendance
Parents play a pivotal role in fostering regular attendance. Here are actionable steps to support your child's school engagement:
Establish Routines: Create consistent daily schedules to help your child understand the importance of regular attendance.
Communicate the Importance: Discuss how regular attendance positively impacts learning and future opportunities.
Monitor Health: While keeping sick children at home is essential, ensure that minor ailments don't become reasons for unnecessary absences.
Stay Engaged: Communicate openly with teachers and school staff to address attendance concerns.
Del City Ordinance on Truancy:.
PENALTY:
1. Any parent convicted of violating any provision in this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), plus costs, or by imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each separate day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.
2. Any minor convicted of violating any provision in this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00), plus costs. Each separate day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.
Each day the child remains out of school after the oral and documented or written warning has been given to the parent, guardian, custodian, child or other person or the child has been ordered to school by the juvenile court shall constitute a separate offense.
If you would like to read the complete city ordinance, you can click here.