Improving Your Child's School Attendance

By GreatSchools.net Staff

HOW CAN PARENTS PROMOTE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE?

Promoting school attendance is the duty of parents, not just the school.  Because school attendance is CRITICAL to a child’s education, parents should consider the following policies.

• Begin early in a child’s life to encourage learning
• Regularly emphasize the value of education
• Become a school volunteer, thereby showing the value you place on education
• Take an interest in your child’s coursework, grades and activities, and offer your help and support
• Stress the relationship of a diploma to enjoying a full and rewarding life
• Contact a social services agency for assistance, rather than expect your child to remain home from school to help you
• Meet regularly with teachers to discuss the child’s progress and to determine how you can help improve the school experience
• Work closely with the school to resolve attendance problems
• Seek help if you cannot control your child’s attendance