Attendance is important for schools -- for example, when they give standardized tests required by federal law. But it's even more important for your child. He or she has to be in school to take advantage of all the opportunities education has to offer.
The dangers of truancy
An unexcused absence from school is called truancy. This includes skipping classes or entire days of school. Truancy puts students at risk for many problems, including:
Teach your child that skipping school for any reason only creates more problems. Make sure your child knows he or she can come to you with any problem.
You play a big role in your child's success.
Create a love of learning.
Make reading a regular part of your home life. Take advantage of what your community offers -- for example, museums or cultural events. Show your child that education is important.
Set limits.
Monitor time spent doing such things as:
watching TV
surfing the Internet
playing video games
working at part-time jobs
participating in after-school activities.
Be sure to check your child's homework, too.
Talk about the day.
Ask specific questions about school. And talk about important issues, such as:
alcohol or other drug use
smoking
sex
your child's friends.
Be supportive.
Set high expectations. Offer encouragement and praise. Find ways to reward achievements. For example, make a special meal!
Be involved at your child's school.
Talk with your teachers and counselors.
Don't wait for problems to happen first. Attend parent-teacher conferences. Schedule a visit to the classroom during school hours. Also, let teachers know about any special situations when your child will need to miss school.
Participate.
It makes a difference! You might be able to:
volunteer as a school aide
chaperone a field trip
help with a fund-raising drive.
Let your voice be heard.
For example, you can:
join the local parent-teacher organization
volunteer on a school committee or attend meetings
vote on school matters in local elections.
When your child skips school, take steps to deal with it right away.
Talk to your child. Try to find out why he or she doesn't want to go to school.
Talk to the school. Work together to find a solution. Let your child be involved in the process.
Take action. For example, your child may need:
more supervision
after-school tutoring
counseling
an evaluation to determine if he or she has a learning disability
help with an alcohol or other drug problem.
Be sure to stay in close contact with the school to monitor your child's attendance.
Students have better attendance -- and more success in school -- when parents are involved. For more information about staying involved in your child's education, visit the following sites: