Data Analysis

Total absences by grade for the 15-16 School Year

100
90
80
70
5th grade
Number of Studnet

60 4th grade
3rd grade
50
2 nd grade
40 1st Grade
30 Kindergarten
Pre-kindergaten
20
10
0
79 56 45 40 35 32 29 26 23 20 17 14 11 8 5 2

Number of days missed

This graph depicts the total number of absences for all students broken down by grade at
Atha Road Elementary School during the 2015-2016 school year.

Number of students with 10-50 Absences 15-16 School year

140

120

100

80
Number of students

60

40

20

0
first semester second semester
This graph shows the significant difference between the total number of chronically absent
students between the first and second semester at Atha Road Elementary during the 2015-
2016 school year. This data was utilized to establish the project goal of decreasing the
number of students with chronic absences second semester during the 2016-2017 school
year.
 Perception Data Collection

In a survey conducted with 24 Atha Road Elementary teachers, data was collected
regarding how teacher perceive student attendance. The following statements are the
feedback gathered during the survey.

Having conversations with them through out the day. Ask about their interest outside of
school; like sports.

Getting to know each student on a personal level, and using this information to form a
closer relationship with the child and letting the child know they are cared about at
school.

At this age, it needs to be more of a relationship with parents.

Investigating the reason the student may be absent from a caring perspective, not trying
to "catch them" in a lie.

We are currently mentoring the chronic absent students. I think home referrals should
happen more often.

Spending time with the students.

Talking with the students & getting to know them better.

Make class fun so the students want to be here.

Positive communication

Having positive conversations with parents, not always contacting parents when
something is "wrong" an "issue".

Listen to the student without an agenda. If the opportunity arises, then maybe slip in
advice. Otherwise, let the kids talk. Children just want to talk a lot of times about nothing
important to us but to them it is special. Get on the kids level and have fun with them.
Learn to speak their language, listen to the music that is popular to know what they are
talking and singing about, learn what is in style and hip to carry on conversations, don't
always be so 'teacher' all the time....

This is HUGE!!!! Drive to the neighborhoods where these kids live to get an
understanding of why the kids act the way they do. Teachers have to quit thinking it is not
their place to understand where their students come from because it is their place if the
teacher ever wants to have the students trust, open up, respect, them.

Teachers need to make home visits at the beginning of the year for parents that are
unable to bring kids to open house.

Calling home when students are absent and talking to the students about why they have
been absent

We need time to have some relationship building with our students. To talk about what
is going on in their lives. A scheduled class meeting time would be beneficial.
Forming a rapport with parents as well as my students. Taking the time to interact and
develop lasting relationships with both students and parents.

Daily positive interaction