Review & Impact in High School Attendance Policy in UAE Education

1. Review & Impact in High School Attendance Policy in UAE Education Master Of Education Module code: EDU 0501 Date: June 16, 2013 Student ID: 120168 Name: Marwa El Tanahy Faculty of Education

2. Introduction • The students’ attendance regularly to school is essential for better learning. • It is crucial for the school success. Critical Review Purpose of the study Review and criticize the high school attendance (HSA) policy in UAE Mention the global trend & regulation through implementing HAS policy. Study Question: There is a gap in the high school attendance (HAS) policy in UAE because there are no studies to answer the following policy questions: • How can schools’ regulations more effectively address the attendance problems?

3. Conceptual Framework unexcused and unlawful absence from school without parental knowledge and consent” (Jacobs et al, 2007). the absence of the students with approved reasons, and under their guardians’ supervision unexcused skipping 10 per cent of the academic year for any reason or 20 per cent for unexcused or unapproved reasons. (Wheatly S. & Spillane G., 200, P.18). excused Dropouts which might have structured from a psychosomatic or a medical case (Bond, 2004).

4. Literature Review • A large literature body was introduced worldwide about the non-attendance problems. In Wisconsin (1998/99) Absentees students = 1.6% Truant cases = 33.3% Recorded by (NCSE) In Malaysia (2000) Absenteeism problems significantly rank the second because of the disciplinary issues that were considered in primary and secondary schools (Jamal, 2000) In Egypt (2012); 20% absentees’ students are not allowed to go through their exams by governments’ order (www.ahram.org.eg), The number of dropouts in Dubai 2011/2012 is 7% of the total number of students. (Ridge, N. et al, 2013) The National Centre for Education Statistics indicated the following data for Denver public high school

5. Current attendance policy in Dubai Student conduct disciplinary bylaw Rationale One of the most pronounced disciplinary problems in high schools around the world is the school absenteeism and truancy that proves the urgent need for emerging policies to reduce the problem. in UAE, KHDA ordered all Dubai schools to report on the students’ attendance (KHDA, 2013). • Ministry of Education in 2011 decided some new articles to improve the student code of conduct according to the Federal Law NO. (1) that was established in 1972, the article that related to the policy under discussion states that: • “Article Six: Rectifying the undesirable conduct First: Situation requiring intervention to rectify the undesirable conduct: • Coming late to the morning assembly without acceptable justification. • Being absent for consecutive days without acceptable justification, running away from school or not-attending some classes.” (MOE, 2011, p.13).

6. Causes of absenteeism and truancy External Factors Family Factors Economic Factors Absenteeism School Factors Student Factors Internal Factors In Dubai, KHDA released an analysis of dropout rates and found that up to 22% of males and 14% of females had left secondary school in 2010. (DSIP, 2010) because of many factors like lack of interest in lessons, the curriculum and teaching methods, absenteeism and truancy

7. Factors affecting students attendance Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries United States U.S School Factor Economic Factor Family Factor (Ridge, N. et al, 2013)

8. Dubai schools inspection report 2010 determined the number of instructional days in UAE around 175 days. UAE public schools American consultant said that “Absenteeism is a major issue”Attendance is normally good, up to 93 per cent. Except the weeks before Eid, and before and after the midterm break, Generally, Eids and exams periods have a dramatically drop in attendance which decrease to 40 per cent. Eight weeks over the year are missed because of the lack of penalties. Schools can only send letters and make home calls but can’t make students come to school. (Lewis, K. 2010) Some Schools have incentive schemes whereby students are given a Dh800 monthly stipend to go to school, and docked money if they miss class. Each private school in Dubai has its own regulations and statements of policy regarding students’ attendance. But the impact or the effect of these interventions have never been examined on the percentage of the students attendance. Calendar of school year 2012/13

9. Attendance & Punctuality Policy and Procedures in one of IB programmed school students in Dubai • PURPOSE: • The purpose of this policy is to establish the attendance requirements that must be included in the school-based attendance procedures for all Dubai schools • Good attendance is the key to successful schooling and high attainments. • The target of the school is to achieve 98% attendance which is rated as outstanding by KHDA. Policy statement • Students are expected to attend school on every instructional day in the school calendar • Parents, teachers and all other school staff are responsible for ensuring that students attend school every day. •If a student takes holiday leave or has unexcused absences for greater than 20 consecutive or 25 non-consecutive days. The student may be retained within his current year level at the end of the academic year. As per KHDA guidelines, Unexcused absences shall be recorded as such on the student report. (DIA, 2012) Implementation & Procedures Unexcused Absenteeism Persistent absenteeism Punctuality Procedures

10. School attendance Policy in global context Current policies and practices related to attendance problems Intervention & Prevention Strategies Incentive & Disincentive Co-ordinated efforts Zero tolerance policy Supporting efforts School-Community Agencies • Take attendance into account in grading • Loss of privilege • No driving license in some states • Fine parents & reduce public support • Offer cars, IPods, month’s rent to improve the students attendance.(New York Times, 2006) • Engage students in the learning process. • Develop collaboration with the Juvenile Justice system to address the problem of the school absence to assure consistency and identify needs for the staff development. . • The impact: • Perfect students’ attendance • Send to inadequate alternative schools • Suspension or expulsion • The impact: • Fail to change the behavior of students who exhibit the problem.

11. Conclusions & Recommendations • School attendance is both a right and responsibility. • Attendance policies must be amended or revamped from time to time to be effective • Addressing attendance problems in UAE requires STRATEGIES that are more psychologically sophisticated than prevailing ones used by most schools and the society in general. • It is essential for each school to take in consideration the variety of factors that paly a role in school attendance problems. • Policy and practice must evolve schools, families and communities to work collaboratively to develop approaches that reflect their awareness to this problem.

12. References • Bond, G. (2004). Tackling Student Absenteeism: Research Findings and Recommendations for Schools and Local Communities. Research & Program Development Consultant. Available at: http://www.hwllen.com.au/text/...3396/.../1112325248500-2929.doc • Dubai International Academy (DIA), (2012). Student-Parent handbook 2012-2013.AT-RJ.p.2-44. • Dubai School Inspections Bureau (DSIB). (2010). Annual Report 2010. Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). Accessed May 9, 2013 from, http://www.khda.gov.ae/CMS/WebParts/TextEditor/Documents/KHDA-DSIB%20Annual%20 Report%202010%20English.pdf • Jacobs, K., Kristsonis, W. (2007). An Analysis of Teacher and Student Absenteeism in Urban Schools: What the Research Says and Recommendations for Educational Leaders. Electronic Journal of Student Research. The Lamar University. Record Details (ED499647) Available at: http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/recordDetail?accno=ED499647. • Lewis,K. (2010). Absenteeism rates 'too high‘. Available at: http://www.thenational.ae/news/uaenews/education/absenteeism-rates-too-high# • Los Angeles, C.A. (2008). School attendance problems: Are current polices & practices going in the right direction? .Center for mental health in schools at UCLA .p. 1-17 • Ministry of Education, (2011). Students conduct disciplinary bylaw in schools community. Students advising and counselling department. P. 7-34 • Ridge, N., Farah, S., & Shami, S. (2013). Patterns and perceptions in male secondary school dropouts in the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research. p 5-49 • Wheatley, S. & Spillane, G. (2001). Home and Away: A Literature Review of School Absenteeism and Non- Engagement Issues, Victorian Statewide School Attachment and Engagement Planning and Interest Group, Available at: http://www.sfys.infoxchange.net.av/resources/.../00014-upload-00001.pdf.

13. Thank You!!