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Schools Briefs
School Directory
| School
district implements a hard line on absentees |
A policy enacted this school year requires that students be present in
class at least 83 percent of the time |
By Christie Scotty, Newberg Graphic
Reporter
Email Christie at cscotty@eaglenewspapers.com
|
Miss school, you miss your education. That’s the message of the
Newberg School District, a position being heard louder this year than in the past.
According to a district attendance policy enacted this school year, students
need to be present at least 83 percent of the time in each class.
Whether excused or unexcused, students absent more than 10 days or class
periods in a trimester could be held back a grade, lose eligibility in extracurricular
activities, or lose driving privileges from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
“Excessive absences are frequently symptoms of additional
problems,” the attendance policy states, adding students may be referred to
counselors or disciplinary officers.
The policy is not necessarily tougher, but it is more specific in defining
what is unacceptable.
Students who can prove a “well-documented” case — if under a
doctor’s care for an extended illness, for instance — may appeal the minimum
standards and escape academic or other penalties.
“Usually, but not always, those kids may be exempt,” from
penalties, said Sandra Lawson, the district’s assistant superintendent.
It’s that appeal process that caused some concern in the year leading up to
the draft policy submitted in June, 2002.
“At the high school there was concern they might have a ton of hearings
to appeal,” Lawson said.
And appeals have definitely come. Of 204 students who missed 10 or more days
of at least one class first trimester, 109 appealed.
That meant a committee of staff members had to meet, either during prep time
or after school, to wade through the appeals, 85 of which were approved.
“Overall, it does take time even to just read the (written
appeals),” NHS Principal Bill Smethurst said. “If you imagine a few minutes for
109 students, that’s quite a bit of time.”
If a student’s appeal fails or if they don’t choose to appeal, the
policy is explicit in possible consequences: course credit or grade level status may be
lost while promotion to the next grade is withdrawn. Those in school sports or activities
may be barred from participation.
Smethurst said it is too early to tell whether absentee rates are being
affected by the policy.
“To me it will be a two- or three-year process to see whether there’s
really a change,” he said. |
|
From Jan. 29,
2003, Newberg Graphic
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