School Board proposes attendance policy changes to combat chronic absenteeism

In a recent Quincy School Committee meeting, the discussion centered around a significant revision to the district's attendance policy, aiming to address chronic absenteeism and its impact on student performance. As the committee members gathered, the atmosphere was charged with a sense of urgency to find a balance between supporting students and holding them accountable for unexcused absences.

The current policy states that students who accumulate seven or more unexcused absences in a marking period will receive a failing grade of 62, regardless of their actual performance. This means that a student with a higher average could see their grade drop dramatically due to absences. The committee highlighted that this policy allows for up to 24 unexcused absences per school year without academic consequences, which contradicts the state’s definition of chronic absenteeism—defined as missing 10% of the school year, or about 18 days.

Recognizing the need for change, the committee proposed amendments to reduce the threshold for unexcused absences from seven to four per quarter. This adjustment aims to ensure that students who miss school excessively face academic consequences sooner, thereby encouraging better attendance. The committee emphasized that the focus would shift from penalizing grades to affecting credits, allowing students to maintain their academic standing while still addressing attendance issues.

The proposed changes reflect a broader commitment to improving student attendance and reducing chronic absenteeism, which has become a pressing concern in the district. By implementing these revisions, the Quincy School Committee hopes to foster a more supportive educational environment while ensuring that students understand the importance of regular attendance. As the committee continues to refine the policy, the focus remains clear: students cannot succeed academically if they are not present in school.