Attendance Support

Students are expected to be on time and attend every class daily. School attendance is an essential factor to ensuring the academic progress of its students. For meaningful education to take place, students must be present in class and actively participate in the learning activities. When a student is absent the educational experience of all students will be diminished. Regular and constant school attendance helps develop responsibility, self-discipline and fosters the skills necessary for successful every day work experiences.

The purpose of the attendance supports is to encourage regular and consistent attendance and punctuality in school by all students. To foster positive work and study habits, RCOE believe that students must be in class in order to fully maximize their educational opportunities.

RCOE is committed to the philosophy that every student should attend all classes every day whenever possible. Regular attendance allows our students to benefit from the educational opportunities provided by our school and its staff. When students are absent, they miss valuable learning experiences, including, but not limited to: direct teacher instruction, class discussion, problem solving, teamwork, and social skills. Research shows direct links between chronic absenteeism and student failure, as well as links between regular attendance and student success. Our attendance policy supports a district-wide initiative to improve student attendance and consequently student achievement. To learn more about how absenteeism affects students, please visit: http://www.attendanceworks.org/.

Addressing chronic absenteeism begins with an Attendance Improvement Plan

• A school social worker meets with every student and completes an Attendance Success Plan​ when they start school.

• Each student has an attendance goal of 90% or higher.

Attendance is checked daily after 1^st period

• A school social worker will make calls to the student's home (to both parents/guardians and students) including texts, emails, etc. for all students who are absent.

• Check-ins are completed by the school social worker on a regular basis.

1. After every absence

2. Monthly

3. Weekly or as needed

Good attendance is Incentivized

• Smaller items such as consumables (chips, Gatorade, candy, PowerAde, etc.) are earned each month or as needed (weekly, bi-weekly, etc.).

• Larger items, such as earbuds, wireless speakers, movie tickets, sports items, etc. are earned each semester.

Should absences continue, home visits and additional supports are initiated

• Home visits are conducted by the school social worker along with principals, security, etc.

• Parent Meetings

• Formal SART/SARB process

Resources are provided to address any barriers to attend school

• Bus passes are provided for the students based on need.

• Social work interns, mentors, and on site-therapists can be referred.