Absenteeism has become a serious problem at Clark County School District (CCSD) schools. To help combat the problem, the District has developed a new program to focus on ensuring students and families make education a priority, called Every Day Matters.
According to the District:
- Students who miss 10% of school (about 18 days) can have trouble learning to read by third grade, keeping up in middle school, and graduating from high school.
- Half of the students who miss 2-4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school.
- Students should aim to miss no more than 9 days in the entire school year, including excused, unexcused, or suspension days.
- Attendance in 9th grade predicts high school graduation better than test results from middle school.
- High school graduates earn an average of $8,000 more each year compared to students who drop out.
These are important facts that should encourage making the most of each school day!
To that end, the District suggests the following four tips to improve attendance at school:
- Family Routine: Set an alarm to get up and prepare clothing and backpacks the night before.
- Be Involved: Talk to your child about how school is going for them, and talk to their teachers.
- Use Campus Portal: You can see assignments, attendance, and your child’s grades on the Parent Portal app.
- Plan Ahead. Try not to make doctor & dentist appointments during the school day.
The District has put together a handy guide to attendance laws and school absences for parents as well. The English version is HERE, and the Spanish version is HERE. To learn more about the Every Day Matters program, click HERE.
