Category: Attendance
-
Prioritize Joyful Teaching and Learning in Virginia Public Schools
by James C. Sherlock Sometimes things are so right in front of you that you look past them. I have been studying public education in Virginia for more than 15 years. The policy face of the teaching and learning is — there is no other word for it — depressing, at least to the degree…
-
Another COVID Impact: Bad School Data
by Matt Hurt In a September 14th post, Jim Sherlock referenced some data points that were collected during the pandemic. Specifically he brought up the topics of chronic absenteeism and how the graduation rate didn’t seem to correlate with SOL scores. My intent here is not to refute any specifics; it is to inform readers…
-
Lessons from One of the Worst Middle Schools in Virginia
by James C. Sherlock I wrote last time about school climate surveys. Yawn. But perhaps not in this case. I am going to use the results of a 2019 climate survey of Fredericksburg’s only middle school, Walker-Grant, to make a point. The results of that survey of students and staff were absolutely brutal. Especially the…
-
Fredericksburg Schools Need a New Superintendent
by James C Sherlock Note: I took the unprecedented step of taking a column down ten days ago. I did so out of an abundance of caution in response to an outpouring of disbelief among colleagues and the readers about the 71% chronic absentee rate posted by Fredericksburg Public Schools in 2020-21. Many insisted the number…
-
Truancy Morass
by John Butcher In a follow-up to his post on chronic truancy in Virginia, Capt. Sherlock writes, “We have decided, with laws reflecting our decisions, that children must attend school.” (Emphasis in original). If only it were that simple. Va. Code § 22.1-254 provides: Except as otherwise provided in this article, every parent, guardian, or…
-
School Attendance Is a Right and an Equal Opportunity Issue
by James C. Sherlock I wrote a column yesterday on chronic absenteeism in Virginia’s schools. The article has generated confusion among some readers about the obligations of parents and those of the state in getting children to school. Some wonder if absenteeism is even the problem that the data say it is. And what about ……
-
Virginia Public Schools and Learning Losses – Part 2 – Chronic Absenteeism
by James C. Sherlock Woody Allen is quoted as saying that seventy percent of success in life is showing up. So it is with school. Absenteeism is the most correctable scourge of Virginia public schools. It is not the teachers’ job to get the kids there. But unexcused absenteeism is something other adults can fix pretty…