For many students, 2020 was the year that changed everything. They had to adapt to online learning, social distancing, and constant uncertainty. Some thrived, some struggled, and some gave up. Due to a lack of structure during virtual learning, absenteeism became very present both during and after.
Chronic absenteeism, defined by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), is missing at least 10% of the school year unexcused, began to rise and has only increased significantly post-pandemic nationwide, more than doubling since the 2017-2018 school year. The rise in absenteeism has affected both students’ and teachers’ abilities to make up for lost learning during the pandemic. The White House reported that increased student absenteeism has decreased math and reading test scores.
Absenteeism is not as simple as missing school; it has affected students’ academic achievement, grades, and social-emotional development. Missing a few classes may be more detrimental than you imagine; once you miss a class, you’re also missing crucial information that will help you grasp future concepts; this may develop into a downward spiral of struggling to catch up or feeling discouraged, resulting in skipping another class.
Research shows that persistently absent children have a much lower likelihood of completing high school and the lack of higher education may result in fewer job opportunities in the future.
“I’ve noticed friends who I’ve known since pre-Covid, often skipping classes and becoming less academically driven, which is not in their character,” Seneca Valley HS junior Mariama Blade said. Similar sentiments are echoed across grade levels. “Due to the lack of repercussions from not attending classes during online school, it demotivated me from consistently attending my classes,” Seneca Valley HS sophomore Abel Canizalez said.
MCPS Central Office recently addressed the impacts of COVID-19 post-pandemic and the sudden uprising of chronic absenteeism during a press conference on August 22. During this press conference, MCPS announced the launch of a new Attendance Action Plan, “ALL TOGETHER Now: In School Together, Learning Together, Achieving Together.”
The plan involves conducting comprehensive analyses to collect student data, customized attendance plans for each school, and attendance promotion campaigns to raise awareness and support students to improve their attendance. These data-driven methods aim to overcome and resolve the fundamental root factors of the uprising absenteeism.
Some teachers welcome the Attendance Action Plan to address the root causes of student absenteeism and create a culture of engagement and inclusion. Seneca Valley teacher Christoper Mercado said, “One of the main goals of education is to develop and foster intrinsic motivation in students so that they attend school out of interest and curiosity rather than obligation.
However, this goal may be overzealous, unrealistic, and impractical, as it assumes that students will always show up to their classes without any external incentives or deterrents. This assumption may overlook the various factors that influence student attendance, such as personal, social, and environmental circumstances.”
While some teachers support it, others are more skeptical about the plan’s feasibility and effectiveness, citing the challenges of implementing data-driven strategies. “It is essential to establish accountability among students, parents, teachers, and staff so that they all contribute to the goal of having students participate in classes,” Seneca Valley HS teacher Camila Salvatierra said.
Although the new Attendance Action Plan for MCPS may have its’ flaws, it is a significant step in the right direction for tackling absenteeism and encouraging a culture of regular attendance in our educational system. Hopefully, This effort will substantially impact students’ lives and the general success of schools in MCPS through community participation and a data-driven approach. More information about how MCPS plans to conduct this action plan can be found on their website.
Article Written by Nade Phyu of Seneca Valley High School
Photo Courtesy of MCPS