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School district implements new attendance policy this year

This school year is the first year Project ACES (Attending Class Equals Success), a program aimed at decreasing the number of students who miss an excessive number of school days, is in place.
According to Steve Dillon, Director of Student Services, they decided to implement the program because every year, they saw an increase in the number of students who missed 30 or more days of school with excused absences but without medical reasons or doctors’ notes.

He said, “They can’t learn if they’re not (at school).” Dillon said the main difference between last year’s attendance policy and this year’s Project ACES program is the deputy prosecutor’s involvement.

After a student has had 12 excused absences, the prosecutor’s office will contact the student’s parent and inform them of a required meeting during which the prosecutor will present the parent and student with information about the negative consequences of truancy. The full description of Project ACES, which includes after how many absences and what steps the administration will take, is online under “Carmel Clay Schools Attendance Program” on the Carmel Clay Schools Web site.

Dillon said students who have doctors’ notes will not be penalized under the ACES program, and if students cannot afford to or do not wish to see a doctor for a note, they can just have a school nurse check them.
“That can serve as a doctor’s note, and nurses are always available for checking,” Dillon said.

Despite the stricter attendance policies, Dillon said Carmel Clay Schools do not have a tremendous problem with attendance. Last school year, 14,128 students missed 10 or fewer days of school.
“That’s awesome,” Dillon said. “We want those numbers to continue.” By Cathy Chen

—

2007-2008 ABSENCES

• Missed 10 or less days - 14,128 students
• Missed 10 to 20 days - 1,181 students
• Missed 20 to 30 days - 168 students
• Missed 30 to 40 days - 162 students
• Missed 41 or more days - 35 students

STEVE DILLON / SOURCE

Spring Core 40 assessments to replace fall ISTEP+ this year

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<bjenkins@hilite.org>

Beginning next Tuesday, sophomores will be the only class sitting in an assigned testing room, preparing to take the state-wide ISTEP+/GQE exam. Read more

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<aarnell@hilite.org>

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