C. J. Rolls mentions that Ontario’s new high school attendance policy has had a positive effect on him since classes started early last month.
The Grade 12 student at Windsor’s Kennedy Collegiate Institute shared that he “barely went to school” before it was put into place.
“It’s making me come to school, making me actually want to come to school and learn,” Rolls stated.
“It’s a part of your grade, so you have to go … so, there’s nothing really wrong with it.”
He aims to become a realtor after graduation.
C. J. Rolls is a Grade 12 student at Kennedy Collegiate Institute in Windsor, Ont. (Ken Amlin/CBC)
The updated rules in Ontario schools reduce grade points for more than two unexcused absences each semester. The province’s effort against absenteeism is intended for chronic skippers rather than students with valid reasons, according to Paul Calandra, Ontario’s education minister. Illnesses and religious holidays are considered excused absences and won’t impact grades.
Attendance and participation count for 15 percent of final marks in grades 9 and 10 – and 10 percent in grades 11 and 12. Students who exceed two unexcused absences won’t receive the full attendance portion of their grade.
Amar’e Pierce Price is in Grade 11 at Kennedy high school in Windsor, Ont. (Ken Amlin/CBC)
Amar’e Pierce Price believes the new policy shouldn’t have been introduced.
“A whole bunch of people I know, they have mental issues and stuff going on at home and they can’t like pull up to school every day,” he told .
“So, just like punishing them off of that isn’t ideal for anybody,” said the Grade 11 student at Kennedy Collegiate Institute.
“If you pass your exam, you pass the whole class … they shouldn’t take away from your grade because [of things] like that – scholarships and stuff.”
Adham Aserha goes to Kennedy high school in Windsor, Ont., and is currently in Grade 11. (Ken Amlin/CBC)
Adham Aserha also attends Kennedy high school as a Grade 11 student.
He mentioned that so far, the new policy doesn’t seem very effective based on what he’s observed.
“People aren’t taking it seriously,” he remarked.
“You might find like a small group of people that are actually taking it seriously and attending classes because of it, but the rest is just acting normal with it. Nothing much changed honestly.”
Aserha added that showing up for classes and participating does help earn extra marks.
Students are (in some cases) facing a choice between attending school or receiving necessary healthcare due to this policy.
Nevaeh Highgate is a Grade 10 student at Kennedy high school in Windsor , Ont. (Ken Amlin / CBC ) p >Nevaeh Highgate says the new attendance rules could be really difficult for students struggling with their mental health or other challenges outside of school.
“Now they take like grades away from that.. and it can be really hard for some students that don’t have that great support , like at home or anything , to go to school,”the Grade ten student at Kennedy Collegiate Institute told .
So , what do these rules say about missing classes for appointments with medical specialists such as dentists , orthodontists or psychologists-and how are local schools managing absences ?
WATCH | An April CBC report around why Ontario teens are skipping classes :
Why are Ontario high school students skipping classes ?
Provincial data shows attendance among Ontario high school students has dropped from pre-pandemic levels. With the province planning to include attendance in student marks, CBC’s Michelle Song looks into what accounts for this trend.
Amy Lo Faso is a superintendent of K-12 student achievement with the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board (WECDSB).
She states recent concerns regarding high school attendance in Ontario led the province to put more emphasis on it.
“We know it’s tied directly to student achievement as well as student well-being,”Lo Faso told CBC Radio’s Windsor Morning on Wednesday.
“If you need to go see a doctor, we definitely want you to attend those appointments. If those appointments could be scheduled before or after school’s hours if possible. If not, parent should report student’s absence all times. All parent needs do is take an extra step-either write a note requesting absence excuse due medical condition or use our digital app platform.” p >
b > b>. lofaso says there ‘ s no one-size-fits-all when addressing why kids miss time from schools; she suggests understanding individual circumstances can lead everyone working together toward better outcomes.
How To Challenge An Unexcused Absence
The Roberts family states if there comes an occasion where someone wants clarity regarding documented unexcused absence-they encourage reaching out directly towards administration regarding specific dates connected alongside unexplained missed days..
This requires building connections through interactions amongst families ensuring strong collaborations exist between institutions promoting effective educational pathways leading towards increased levels success!
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