How School Attendance Supports Happier, Healthier Students

Students of all ages will miss school now and again. Sick days are needed. Travel hiccups happen coming home from vacation. However, studies indicate that a student’s consistent absence from school can make their mental health worse — no matter the reason for the absence. This disconnect between a student and their peers can limit a student’s chances to succeed in school and beyond.

For LaRue County Schools Emotional Support Specialist Marsha Duncan, attendance is key to building a healthy, maturing and vibrant school environment. That’s why she and the rest of LaRue County Schools are investing in initiatives to keep students and parents alike invested in their education.

“It’s so important for children to be engaged in socialization from an early age,” she said, noting that socialization should start before preschool. “By socializing, children learn to foster empathy, improve language skills, discover the importance of sharing and teamwork, gain self-confidence and are better prepared for school.”

Understanding the weight of absenteeism

Absenteeism in schools is hardly a new problem. However, recent decades of data are able to successfully connect a student’s attendance with their success in school. A few absences might put children behind throughout the year, but the school’s efforts are focused on reducing chronic absenteeism.

“Chronic absenteeism” is widely defined as any student being out for 10 percent or more days in a school year. That’s 15-18 days, depending on the school calendar. These absences can come for any reason, whether excused or unexcused. Their impact compounds quickly. Students who are chronically absent any year between grades 8 - 12 are seven times more likely to drop out than their peers, according to data from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Attendance tells Duncan a lot about a student, including how emotionally mature they are. Why? Because, in group settings, children learn soft skills at the same time they learn the curriculum. It can also indicate a student’s chance at success once they leave school.

“Group involvement helps a child to develop communication skills, relationship skills, problem-solving skills and decision-making skills,” she said. “All of these skills are essential skills.”

Duncan is right; these skills are essential and in high demand. Using data from hiring websites and some of the US’s largest employers, the Department of Labor found that relational skills like networking and professionalism, problem-solving, and teamwork are the biggest factors in whether a job candidate gets hired. They note that many employers are willing to teach the skills of the trade after hiring, but employers need someone willing to be cooperative and professional first.

How connectivity affects LaRue County students

Not only does absenteeism affect a student’s chances of success after school, but it directly affects mental health. Duncan said that a student’s feeling of belonging is often negatively impacted by extended absences.

“I find it all very interesting to witness the sense of community that occurs within the school setting,” she said. “All humans, infants to adults have the overwhelming need to feel a part of something bigger than themselves. We all want to feel that we are important and we truly matter to others.”

Because attendance can be affected by any number of problems — including a student’s own mental health struggles — LaRue County Schools continues to invest in holistic approaches to education.

“Students, parents and the school staff are all vital members of our school community,” Duncan said. “When we know we matter to others and others depend on us, we’ll show up and be there for one another. Making school attendance a priority lets others know just how much we value them!”