THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509150009
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
Rarely a day has gone by without there appearing some sort of commentary, letter or article in the newspaper regarding the new attendance policy of the Virginia Beach public schools. As a teacher at Tallwood High School and as the parent of a 1992 graduate of Kempsville High School, I think that I am familiar with both sides of the issue.
The new policy is very similar, if not identical, to the one we have had at Tallwood for the past three years. Many of those who have criticized this policy do not fully understand it. I wonder how many of these opponents have researched all its aspects and, more important, its positive outcomes.
This attendance procedure is meant to eliminate or at least to reduce unnecessary absenteeism. Many students cannot seem to get to school on time. They arrive well after their first class has started or maybe even during their second class. A student may miss first bell every day but never miss his lunch bell. Each teacher keeps a record of student absences for his or her own classes.
Teachers at my school are required to notify parents when their child has accrued half of the allowable absences. Never does a student automatically fail due to excessive absences without a parent's having been notified well in advance. We teachers spend many hours on the phone explaining the policy and verifying absence dates with parents. We then do the necessary paperwork so that parent notification will be fully documented.
Exemptions are made for school-sponsored events, field trips, etc. Teachers must make four or five different designations in their grade books to denote the different types of absences.
Also, there is the possibility of a waiver when a student has been absent due to extenuating circumstances, such as a serious illness. Finally, and most important, excessive absenteeism is ultimately detrimental to the student. Contrary to what some have implied, students cannot teach themselves at home with their textbooks. Regular attendance and class participation are necessary for success. When students are frequently absent, they fall behind and often cannot catch up. It is the child who ends up the loser.
ELLEN WILLNER
Virginia Beach, Sept. 11, 1995 by CNB