NCLB Recommendation #12
SUBJECT
Assessment Participation Exemptions: Unusual Patterns of Attendance
P.L. 107-110 PROVISIONS
TITLE I PART A SEC. 1111(b)(2)
NSBA RECOMMENDATIONS
#12: Students determined to have “unusual patterns of attendance” as defined by the state education agency should be exempted from the calculation to determine participation rate and referenced in the local school district accountability plan. (This category of students may include chronic truants as well as students who fail to attend school on a regular basis because of life circumstances but continue to maintain their official enrollment).
RATIONALE
In some communities there are students with very poor attendance but who continue to be encouraged to remain in school rather than drop out. Chronic truancy poses a separate student-based issue than whether a school has weak academic programs or discourages certain students from taking tests. By having this recommended option, schools would have to demonstrate that they are encouraging such students to remain in school.
PROPOSED BILL LANGUAGE
Section 1111 (20 U.S.C. 6311) is further amended in subsection (b)(2) by adding at the end of proposed subparagraph (N*)(i) the following:
“(ii) Chronic Non-Attendance – Each of the following is true:
“(I) The student did not take the assessment and has demonstrated an unusual and chronic pattern of non-attendance, as defined by the State.
“(II) The local educational agency in which the student is enrolled in implementing a plan to increase participation in the assessments by students demonstrating such a pattern of non-attendance.
*Note: (N) is a newly proposed subparagraph, its letter may vary in the final bill.
IMPACT OF CURRENT LAW
Instead of giving credit to local efforts to reduce drop-out rates, the current participation requirement penalizes schools and school districts that continue to encourage students with poor attendance to remain in school because these students’ absence must count against their participation rates. NSBA’s recommendation will provide incentives for local educators to continue to keep students in school while making sure a comprehensive plan is in place to address the poor attendance patterns.
NSBA CONTACT
Reggie Felton, director of federal relations, 703-838-6782 or rfelton@nsba.org.