HOPE – The impact of student attendance upon learning is demonstrated in a new parent guide produced by the Hope Public Schools as part of its ongoing “Strive for Five” attendance initiative.\r\n
\r\nDeveloped by the National Center for Educational Research and adapted by Hope Academy of Public Service Principal Dr. Carol Ann Duke, the “Every Minute Matters; Class Time Counts” rubric demonstrates the immediate impact of lost student learning opportunities created by as little as 10 minutes per day of missed class time.\r\n
\r\n“We plan to use it at Open House,” Dr. Duke said. “At Hope Public Schools, we strive to give our pupils the best education available and to enable our children to reach their full potential. We expect the best possible attendance from our children.”\r\n
\r\nBased upon the rubric, when a student misses 10 minutes of class time per day, that equals 50 minutes of learning opportunity per week, which totals 1 ½ weeks of missed learning per year; or, almost half a school year total by the 12th grade.\r\n
\r\nDuke said the connection between student attendance in class and successful academics is well-documented.\r\n
\r\n“Children who frequently miss school may fall behind in their work, which may affect their future prospects,” she said. “At all our campuses, we encourage parents to take full advantage of the academic school day and make doctor, dental, and other appointments as late in the day as possible or after 3 p.m. when possible.”\r\n
\r\nDuke said the most prevalent time for accumulated absenteeism is at the start of the day, when students arrive on campus late.\r\n
\r\n“Your child’s best learning time is at the beginning of the day,” she said. “Check the start time for your child’s school.”\r\n
\r\nThe Strive for Five attendance initiative of the Hope Public Schools emphasizes the relationship between academic success and class attendance. The initiative seeks to hold absentee rates within manageable levels by challenging students to work toward five or fewer absences per grading period or semester, as set by each campus principal.\r\n
\r\n“We are committed to improving student attendance and, through our Strive for Five initiative, students are rewarded each quarter,” Duke said.\r\n
\r\nStudents who reach the Strive for Five goal are rewarded with attendance incentives, ranging from free treats in primary – middle school grades to exemption from semester testing at Hope High School.\r\n
