| Description |
Chronic absenteeism is an issue that greatly affects Utah schools (AttendanceWorks, 2010; Research Brief: Chronic Absenteeism, 2012). Students being in school each day is becoming increasingly important in education. There is a growing relationship between attendance and academic performance (Balfanz & Byrnes, 2012; Chang & Romero, 2008; Gottfried, 2011; Parades & Ugarte, 2011; Rothman, 2001; Research Brief: Chronic Absenteeism,; 2012). When students are not in school, they not only miss out on academics but also on crucial interactions with peers (Gottfried, 2011). The major problem with absenteeism in elementary schools is that young students need to be in school to "gain a strong foundation for subsequent learning" (Romero & Chang, 2008, p. 3). When creating possible solutions to decreasing absenteeism, it takes a comprehensive approach with a sustainable goal to improve attendance (Sheldon and Epstein, 2004). Students missing school can be split into three categories: students who cannot attend, students who will not attend and students who do not attend (Balfanz & Byrnes, 2012). Solutions must address all of these categories. The purpose of this Integrative Service Project is to explore a possible comprehensive solution to chronic absenteeism in a Salt Lake City School District west-side elementary school by implementing a positive incentive plan, hand sanitizer to decrease illness and create awareness to parents. The project is intended to create a long-term impact in the school by using data to support solutions and greater awareness of the effects of absenteeism. |
