WEBVTT

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[Music] Welcome to the overview
on Maximizing Attendance

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in Expanded Learning Time Schools
and Out-of-School Programs.

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Increasing learning time
can benefit all students,

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and can significantly help
those who are struggling--

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but only if they maintain
regular attendance.

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In many sites across the nation,

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absenteeism rates
remain a major challenge.

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Research shows that a
significant increase

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in instructional time leads to
better academic performance.

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For example, at least 45 hours

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of after-school intervention
are needed for a student

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to show substantial academic
improvement that is aligned

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with the intervention goals.

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To maximize attendance, schools
and program providers need

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to continuously monitor
attendance and explore how

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to help students who
are chronically absent.

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An important first
step is setting annual

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and monthly goals
for attendance.

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There are a number of data
tools and systems available

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that schools and out-of-school 
programs can use

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to monitor attendance
and identify students

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with chronic attendance issues.

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Additionally, after-school
programs will need

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to keep the school informed
of unexcused absences,

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especially with students who
were referred to the program due

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to poor academic achievement.

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Using comprehensive data
systems can reveal trends

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that might suggest factors
associated with absenteeism

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of a particular student, such
as how far the student lives

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from the school or program,

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and how that student's
attendance the previous year

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compares to the current year.

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In many cases, absenteeism
is a symptom of a difficulty

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that a student is experiencing
at school or at home.

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Interventions should
align with the cause

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for the student's
attendance issues.

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For example, students who avoid
coming to school due to bullying

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or social isolation may need a
different kind of intervention

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than students who miss school
due to academic difficulties.

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For Out-of-School
programs, a common barrier

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to attendance is accessibility.

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Students either can't get
to the program location,

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or get distracted en route.

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It is highly desirable to
use school grounds for out-

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of-school programs in order to 
reduce transportation concerns.

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For after-school programs,
staff should verify

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that students have a way to get
home, especially after dark.

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Subsidized or free
transportation may be an

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incentive to enroll
in off-site programs.

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After-school, weekend, and
summer programs often have

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to compete with other
recreational activities.

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A program that incorporates
clubs and activities

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that interest students is more
likely to have high enrollment

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and regular attendance.

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Out-of-school programs may offer
enrichment classes in subjects

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such as art, fitness,
martial arts,

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chess club, theater,
and cooking.

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Such classes can incorporate
academic instruction

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in unexpected ways.

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For example, theater classes
can broaden vocabulary,

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computer classes can promote
reading comprehension,

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and sports and cooking classes
can explore math concepts

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such as problem solving,
estimation, measurement,

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and mixed operations such
as addition and subtraction.

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With students engaged in
instruction for extended periods

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after school hours, it will be
necessary for healthy snacks

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and beverages to be provided.

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For summer and weekend
intervention programs,

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a full meal option
should be considered.

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Out-of-school programs can
offer incentives to students

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such as certificates or small
prizes for perfect attendance.

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Districts can provide similar
incentives to the programs themselves

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by recognizing strong
attendance rates.

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When programs do not meet
their attendance goals,

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districts can provide
technical assistance

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that supports program activities
and maximizes attendance.

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Parents are important partners in 
the process of maximizing attendance.

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Collecting information from
parents through annual surveys

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or other methods can
help identify factors

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that may affect attendance.

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For example, if data show

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that an after-school program's
operating hours are a major

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impediment for regular
attendance,

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program providers may look for
resources to extend those hours.

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In addition, teachers or
attendance monitors can talk

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to parents about their child's
attendance patterns and ask

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for their support in ensuring

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that their child
attends regularly.

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School day or after-school
bilingual staff members can

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facilitate communication
with families

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that have limited
English proficiency.

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Websites, flyers, newsletters,

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and stories through
local media can all help

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to raise parents' awareness
of the program's benefits,

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as can events and services such
as volunteering opportunities,

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family nights, and
parent workshops.

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Collaborating with teachers

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and program instructors is an
important part of the process.

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In expanded learning time
schools, teachers, counselors,

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and specialists can work
together to identify ways

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to promote student attendance.

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Out-of-school site managers
and instructors can meet

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with school administrators

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to discuss what role
the program may fill

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in the school's improvement plan
and how they can collaborate

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with school staff to reach the
school's daily attendance goals.

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They can also discuss how school
staff can support enrollment

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and attendance of students
in out-of-school programs.

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As long as schools and programs
continually monitor attendance

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and work to promote
regular attendance rates,

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students are likely to
benefit from increased time

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for academic support
and enrichment.

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To learn more about
Maximizing Attendance

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in Expanded Learning Time Schools
and Out-of-School Programs,

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please see the additional
resources

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on the Doing What Works website.