A. Introduction
In Canada, researchers examined the impact of poor student attendance in one Manitoba school district and make recommendations for strategies to improve attendance. Students attending schools in Division 1 of Frontier School District have consistently scored lower on standardized achievement tests than students in other school districts in Manitoba. A look at attendance data shows that absenteeism at schools in Aboriginal communities in Division 1 is higher than the rate of absenteeism at schools in other school districts of Manitoba.
B. Purpose
The purpose of this report will help to identify the factors and make useful suggestions for schools to become more attractive to students. The gap between student scores in Division 1 and other Divisions in Manitoba should narrow when greater attendance in school will result in higher achievement scores.
C. Scope
This paper examines the relationship between school absenteeism and its impact on student achievement and attainment. The paper will give a general review of the literature on the subject. The review will focus on universal reasons why students miss school and the direct impact that lost time has on student achievement. The paper will narrow its focus toward exam rates of absenteeism in Manitoba First Nations communities and the specific reasons for the higher rates in those school divisions. It will also spend time looking at attempts that have been made to improve attendance in First Nations communities. The paper will also include specific recommendations for Division 1 Frontier School District on strategies it can employ to improve attendance. The paper is limited because there has been little research completed on the impact of student absenteeism and achievement among aboriginal students.
D. Literature Review
There is a significant amount of research studying the causes of student attendance. The term “attendance” is involved in the education system, which includes
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