Artifact 3

This artifact was a component of PSED 515, Data-Driven Decision Making. In this course, we looked at how data can be used to improve instruction and promote success in learning. We had the opportunity to look at data within our own districts and compare to other districts. For the final project, I chose to compare truancy rates to economic disadvantage. I was able to use data for free and reduced lunch and attendance records and determine if there was any correlation between them. Within my research I was able to determine reasons why economically disadvantage students would be more likely to be truant. Reasons for this may be that students are working late after school to help out the family, they may be a primary caretaker for a younger sibling, or they may be in a single parent household where the parent is absent due to working multiple jobs. This can also be due to the fact that students from disadvantaged students may move around a lot for the parents to find better job opportunities. Students in this situation may not feel that they are part of the school community because they are always the “new” kid. This project also allowed me to research what can be done to help decrease truancy in economically disadvantaged students, for example, getting them involved in an after school club or sport may help them to feel like they are part of the school community. This project meets Master Educator Outcome #3 because by looking at the data and comparing two sets of data, I can use this information to help students come to school more often, therefore increasing student achievement. Students are not going to be success academically if they are absent. By conducting this research I can find solutions to the issues determined from the data.

PSED 515 Final Research Paper: Attendance and Economically Disadvantaged Students in High Schools