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ALHS Attendance and Finals . During the 2007 School year the high school leadership team (made up of department heads) addressed the issue of attendance and tardies at ALHS. At this time student absenteeism and tardies from school was high. ALHS Attendance and Finals .
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ALHS Attendance and Finals • During the 2007 School year the high school leadership team (made up of department heads) addressed the issue of attendance and tardies at ALHS. • At this time student absenteeism and tardies from school was high.
ALHS Attendance and Finals • Research was gathered to compare our policies with other Big Nine Schools including Owatonna, Austin, Mankato and Faribault. • These Big Nine Schools had maximum absence policies that included loss of credit in a class due to excessive absences.
Attendance Data and Finals • Note – This includes all absences; recognized or not recognized. • Absences30% reduction in the total hours of absences • 2007-08 (1,108 students)- 27 hours per student = 4 days/student • 2008-09 (1,034 students) –21 hours per student = 3 days/student • Tardies70% reduction in tardies • 2007-08 – 5 tardies/student • 2008-09 - 1.5 tardies/student
ALHS Attendance and Finals • Our goal at ALHS was to improve student attendance and classroom tardiness by tying our attendance policy to final exams. • Discussion and recommendations for change to the absence and final exam policies were reviewed and approved by the high school faculty and School Board.
Policy during 2010-11 School year • All students grades 9-12 who have four unexcused absences in a class are required to take a final exam. • Grades are reduced by one full letter grade for each additional unexcused absence - starting with the 5th absence.
Policy during 2010-11 School year • A student cannot lose credit or fail the course because of unexcused absences. The lowest grade they can get is a D- • Final exams are optional for all students with three or less unexcused absences
Policy during 2010-11 School year • Final exams cover 2 quarters worth of work (18 instructional weeks). • Final exams count 20% of the final grade
Attendance and Finals for grades 8-12 • With the 8th grade joining ALHS, we gathered input regarding our attendance policy and final exams from our high school faculty • There were 6 questions staff responded to on a survey
Data on Attendance and Finals #5. Should a students’ attendance be tied to taking final exams? staff responses - Yes – all students 42% - Yes 10-12 only 34% - No 24% #6. What grade reductions should be used for unexcused absences (starting with 5th absence) - No reductions6% - step reductions - B+ to a B 64% -full grade reductions - B to a C 30%
Data on Attendance and Finals #7. Should all 8th and 9th graders be required to take finals? - Yes 42% - No 58% #8. Should all 10th to 12th graders be required to take finals? - Staff results - Yes 47% - No 53%
Data on Attendance and Finals #9. What do you perceive the effect will be on attendance if everyone is required to take finals? - Attendance will decrease during the school year (will be worse) 53% - It will have an affect on attendance 22% - It will have no affect on attendance 22%
Data on Attendance and Finals #10. What should be the length of periods for a final? 45 minutes 6% 60 minutes 39% 75 minutes 26% 90 minutes 27% 105 minutes 1% 120 minutes 0%
Decisions Recommended forAttendance and Finals for the 2011-12 School Year • All 8th-9th graders will attend school and have instruction/assessment the days that final exams take place at the end of each semester. • Final exams will be optional for students in grades 10-12 who have three or fewer unexcused absences. - the decision whether or not to choose to take a final exam is a parent/student decision 3. Teachers will be advocates for students to take final exams.
Decisions recommended forAttendance and Finals for the 2011-12 School Year • Grade reductions will be used for unexcused absences (starting with the 5thabsence) • step reductions - B+ to a B 2. Final Exams will be 60 minutes in length.