The School Attendance Problem: How Can It Be Solved?
There has been a lot of discussion about how to increase attendance in the schools. If students are not in school, they can’t learn. While I hear a lot our teachers can implement some new learning strategies. We have a new school superintendent who has plans to increase attendance and other problems in our schools. It will take time.
He is planning to go on a listening tour to talk to parents, teachers, and students to hear what the problems are. While low attendance rates can be attributed to the pandemic when schools were closed. The issue of cell phones in the classroom has been another problem. However, with the new emphasis on reducing cell phones usage by students in school it is a hopeful sign that students will pay more attention to participating in school.
The low attendance in our schools is a very serious issue. Our students are falling behind in reading and math achievement. They must be in school in order to be successful. Going to school on a regular basis and on time is one of the ways to prepare for the future. Employers expect their employees to be on time and to arrive to work daily. This is a life lesson. I have been very disappointed in the fact that we have not heard from our educators about this issue. We need to hear their ideas about possible solutions to this problem, and they need to speak up and let the community know what they think.
This is not a simple issue. It has been in existence for a long time. It is my hope that each school has developed an incentive program to increase student attendance. It has to be consistent and communicated on a regular basis to students, parents, and the community. In the spirit of this column and my experience as an educator I would like to suggest some ideas to help the situation. They are as follows:
We need a survey to find out the reasons why students are not coming to school. There could be a variety of reasons including being bullied or threatened by other students, skipping class while in school, especially at the high school level, a health problem, missing the bus and no one is available to get the student to school.
We need a community-wide meeting to bring together all stakeholders, parents, teachers, and administrators to discuss this problem and to brainstorm ways to improve attendance.
We need to reward students who come to school on a regular basis in our community centers, schools, and churches and recognize them also for academic achievement or showing effort in improving attendance. Prizes should include class pizza parties for the best attendance or showing a special movie in the auditorium if schoolwide attendance improves.
The school curriculum needs to be improved to make learning more attractive for students. This should include integrating the arts and music in all subject areas as well as African American History. Imagine how it would inspire students in high school to read the Autobiography of Malcolm X or of Frederick Douglass or some other famous person.
Accept the students where they are by infusing hip hop in the curriculum, having them research the life of a famous rap artist, create their own rap and hold a contest, introduce essay contests and other non-traditional ways of teaching to increase motivation. They can create posters and role play or create their own books. I had students create their own books and stories. They put them on display for a reading festival. Students must be involved in their own learning.
Teachers must read the book entitled “200 Plus Educational Strategies to Teach Students of Color” to create excitement in the classroom. These ideas are good for all students. It was written by noted educator Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu.
Some educators will read this and say they do not have time to do some of these activities because of the regimented way they have to teach and the testing that they have to administer. I say that teachers can do a lot if they are creative. One of the things I did when teaching was to use every moment to teach. While students were standing in line waiting for their bus I would have them recite poetry or play an educational game. During our drop everything and read time first thing in the morning before we started the day I would read interesting books to them. On the early release days there was time at the very end of the morning to show a short film or listen to music. I always felt that where there is a will there is a way. Teachers must set an example and read with their students.
Sadly, in this day of chaos and turmoil in the national and local media, there is a need for our schools to become places of peace and a place where students can learn. It is up to our administrators, parents and educators to help our students get through this calmly. We need everyone to join this movement to stress unity and peace. We can’t forget our students!!