OSI Series Examines Epidemic of Student Absence

OSI-Baltimore presents a series of three white papers that addresses the issue of student absence in our public schools and what actions can be taken to remedy the problem.

Written by Jane Sundius, Director of OSI-Baltimore's Education and Youth Development program, and Molly Farneth, Education Program Assistant, the papers are the outgrowth of a major initiative led by OSI-Baltimore to reduce widespread school absence through strategies that engage children in school and remove barriers to regular attendance, including the overuse of suspension and expulsion. 

Among the highlights:   

• In Baltimore City, 14 percent of elementary school students, 34 percent of middle school students, and 44 percent of high school students missed 20 or more school days during the 2006-2007 school year--nearly a month of school.
• Students are absent from school in large numbers for a variety of reasons, including illness, suspension and expulsion, poor transportation, fears of personal safety, disengagement, unwelcoming schools, school policies that push them out, and family or work responsibilities.
• Regardless of the reason, students who miss school lose out on critical academic and social learning opportunities.  As a result, children who miss school frequently--even in elementary school--are less likely to graduate from high school. 
• Suspensions have been used excessively, indiscriminately, and to the exclusion of efforts to teach and reinforce good behavior or to treat underlying problems. On average, 270 children miss school each day in Baltimore due to long-term suspension or expulsion--and even more are out of school on short-term suspension.
• Today, children are suspended for behavior that used to be labeled naughty, mischievous, or prankish and used to result in detention or school clean-up.  Last year, more suspensions were issued for truancy and tardiness than for dangerous substances, weapons, arson/fire/explosives, and sex offenses combined.  An even greater number of suspensions were given for disrespectful and disruptive behavior.

The authors make a series of policy recommendations to improve student attendance and conclude that children, parents/guardians, teachers and school administrators, and city officials must all join together to make school attendance a top priority for Baltimore.  "Regular school attendance is critical," they write.  "In fact, without it, youth are unlikely to graduate from high school, escape poverty and stay on course for a productive future.  For these reasons, school attendance is a bellwether for a city's future."