New attendance policy takes shape in BVSD

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In August, we introduced Boulder Valley School District’s new attendance policy, which aims to encourage students to attend school and engage fully in their learning. 

This Fall, as BVSD schools implemented the new policy, they increased tracking and reporting around absences. Perhaps the most noticeable change was a new set of letters sent out to families when students are absent for a few days.

New this year: Absence Letters

Just about everyone knows about the daily attendance messages that notify them if their child had an unexcused absence. 

Now, families are also receiving letters when their student hits key absence thresholds– they’ve been absent for 5, 10 and 15 days – whether or not the days have been excused.

BVSD’s efforts coincide with increased efforts by the Colorado Department of Education to reduce absenteeism. CDE is asking school districts to encourage students to return to school, especially following the pandemic.

READ MORE: CDE’s Every School Day Matters Campaign

“We're letting [parents and guardians] know that their student’s absence has been noticed and reminding them of their time outside of the classroom,” BVSD Student Success/Attendance and Engagement Coordinator Elton Davis explained. “When you're missing for any reason, you're missing valuable opportunities, instruction and engagement.”

At the bottom of each letter is a full rundown of the student’s absences.

“They will get an actual printout. It lists the number of days and periods missed, so it is not just a number, they can actually see the detail of when and where the students missed class,” Davis said. 

The letters encourage families to reach out for support in easing students back to class, including make-up work. Of course, if the report has errors, they can contact their school’s office.

As you might guess, the new messages have prompted parent questions.

“There have been some questions and wonderings from some families,” Davis said.

He says, in many cases the data factually reflects students’ attendance, which might include anything from sick days and doctor’s appointments to vacations. 

Without question, it is important for sick students to stay home.

READ MORE: Too Sick for School?

Additionally, there are certainly times when it is important for students to miss school for crucial family events. Davis even acknowledges that there can be educational value during a family trip – but he is hoping that the notices draw attention to just how much time a student is missing from the classroom.

“Some habits have been created over time,” Davis said. “We have families that are used to taking vacations and things in the middle of the school year.” 

The goal isn’t to be punitive – at least to start

Davis says that every day in school matters. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much before a student has missed a significant chunk of instructional time.

In fact, only about 18 days equates to a tenth of a school year.

“Ten percent does not sound like a lot,” Davis acknowledged. “You may not even recognize that it's been that number of days that have been missed over time. Then when you're thinking about it, you start thinking about what has been missed? Were there tests that were missed? Were there important subject matters? We just want to remind families that the best thing for all of our students, when possible, is to be in school.”

Occasionally, families are not receptive to that message. From time-to-time he has to remind folks that school attendance is required under state law. After warnings, if a student fails to attend the case may end up in truancy court.

“That is the very last resort,” Davis said. “We know that when we go into truancy court, it is usually more of a parent issue, than a student issue. At a higher level, our goal is still reminding parents and students the importance of school.”

Davis hopes that the new letters will help provide students and families the reminder, well before they get to that scenario.

READ MORE: BVSD’s new attendance policy is here. What students and parents need to know