Review & Impact in High School Attendance Policy in UAE Education

Master Of EducationModule code: EDU 0501 Date: June 16, 2013Student ID: 120168 Name: Marwa El Tanahy

Faculty of Education

Critical Review

Purpose of the study• Review and criticize the high school attendance (HSA) policy in UAE• Mention the global trend & regulation through implementing HAS policy.

INTRODUCTION

• The students’ attendance regularly to school is essential for better learning.

• It is crucial for the school success.

Study Question: There is a gap in the high school attendance (HAS) policy in UAE because there are no studies to answer the following policy questions:

• How can schools’ regulations more effectively address the attendance problems?

Conceptual Framework

unexcused and unlawful absence from school without parental knowledge and consent” (Jacobs et al, 2007).

skipping 10 per cent of the academic year for any reason or 20 per cent for unexcused or unapproved reasons. (Wheatly S. & Spillane G., 200, P.18).

which might have structured from a psychosomatic or a medical case (Bond, 2004).

the absence of the students with approved reasons, and under their guardians’ supervision

Dropouts

Literature Review A large literature body was introduced worldwide about the non-

attendance problems.

In Egypt (2012);

20% absentees’ students are not allowed to go through their exams by governments’ order

(www.ahram.org.eg),

In Wisconsin (1998/99)

Absentees students = 1.6%

Truant cases = 33.3%

Recorded by (NCSE)

In Malaysia (2000)

Absenteeism problems significantly rank the second because of the disciplinary issues that were considered in primary and secondary schools (Jamal, 2000)

High school dropouts students

Attandance

Dropouts

The number of dropouts in Dubai 2011/2012 is 7% of the total number of students. (Ridge, N. et al, 2013)

no missing days

1-2 missing days

3-6 missing days

more than 6

13.435.4 33

17.2

Percentage of absenteeism for Gr(10)students during the first half of 2002/2003

Percentage of students per year

The National Centre for Education Statistics indicated the following data for Denver public high school

Current attendance policy in Dubai

Student conduct disciplinary bylaw Ministry of Education in 2011 decided

some new articles to improve the student code of conduct according to the Federal Law NO. (1) that was established in 1972, the article that related to the policy under discussion states that:

“Article Six: Rectifying the undesirable conduct

First: Situation requiring intervention to rectify the undesirable conduct:

• Coming late to the morning assembly without acceptable justification.

• Being absent for consecutive days without acceptable justification, running away from school or not-attending some classes.” (MOE, 2011, p.13).

Rationale One of the most pronounced

disciplinary problems in high schools around the world is the school absenteeism and truancy that proves the urgent need for emerging policies to reduce the problem.

in UAE, KHDA ordered all Dubai schools to report on the students’ attendance (KHDA, 2013).

Causes of absenteeism and truancy

Absenteeism

External Factors

Internal Factors

Economic Factors

Family Factors

School Factors

Student Factors

In Dubai, KHDA released an analysis of dropout rates and found that up to 22% of males and 14% of females had left secondary school in 2010. (DSIP, 2010) because of many factors like lack of interest in lessons, the curriculum and teaching methods, absenteeism and truancy

Factors affecting students attendance

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries United States U.S

Socioe-conomic

parents' level of education

student's health

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Student Factor

Student FactorEconomic FactorSchool Factor Family Factor

(Ridge, N. et al, 2013) 

175 220 190

0

100

200

300

UAE Japan &Singapore

UK &Australia

Number of instructionaldays per year

Dubai schools inspection report 2010 determined the number of instructional days in UAE around 175 days.

UAE public schools American consultant said that “Absenteeism is a major issue”Attendance is normally good, up to 93 per

cent. Except the weeks before Eid, and before and after the midterm break, Generally, Eids and exams periods have a dramatically drop in attendance which decrease to 40 per cent.

Eight weeks over the year are missed because of the lack of penalties. Schools can only send letters and make home calls but can’t make students come to school. (Lewis, K. 2010)

Some Schools have incentive schemes whereby students are given a Dh800 monthly stipend to go to school, and docked money if they

miss class.

Each private school in Dubai has its own regulations and statements of policy regarding students’ attendance. But the impact or the effect of these interventions have never been examined on the percentage of the students attendance.

Calendar of school year 2012/13

Attendance & Punctuality Policy and Procedures in one of IB programmed school students in Dubai

PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to establish the attendance requirements that must be included in the school-based

attendance procedures for all Dubai schools Good attendance is the key to successful schooling and high attainments. The target of the school is to achieve 98% attendance which is rated as outstanding by KHDA.

Policy statement• Students are expected to attend school on every instructional day in the school calendar • Parents, teachers and all other school staff are responsible for ensuring that students attend school

every day.

•If a student takes holiday leave or has unexcused absences for greater than 20 consecutive or 25 non-consecutive days. The student may be retained within his current year level at the end of the academic year. As per KHDA guidelines, Unexcused absences shall be recorded as such on the student report. (DIA, 2012)

Implementation & Procedures

Warning letter

meeting with parents

Attendance contract

No registration for the next year

Break detention

After school detention

Saturday morning detention

Subsequent communication

School attendance Policy in global contextCurrent policies and practices related to attendance problems

Intervention & Prevention Strategies

Incentive & Disincentive

Zero tolerance

policy

Supporting efforts

Co-ordinated efforts

School-Community

Agencies

Take attendance into account in grading

Loss of privilege No driving license in some

states Fine parents & reduce public

support  

Offer cars, IPods, month’s rent to improve the students attendance.(New York Times, 2006)

Engage students in the learning process.

  

• Develop collaboration with the Juvenile Justice system to address the problem of the school absence to assure consistency and identify needs for the staff development. .

  

Send to inadequate alternative schools

Suspension or expulsion

  

• The impact: Perfect students’ attendance

  • The impact:

Fail to change the behavior of students who exhibit the problem.

  

Conclusions & Recommendations

• School attendance is both a right and responsibility.

• Attendance policies must be amended or revamped from time to time to be effective

• Addressing attendance problems in UAE requires STRATEGIES that are more psychologically sophisticated than prevailing ones used by most schools and the society in general.

• It is essential for each school to take in consideration the variety of factors that paly a role in school attendance problems.

• Policy and practice must evolve schools, families and communities to work collaboratively to develop approaches that reflect their awareness to this problem.

References Bond, G. (2004). Tackling Student Absenteeism: Research Findings and Recommendations for Schools and Local

Communities. Research & Program Development Consultant. Available at: http://www.hwllen.com.au/text/...3396/.../1112325248500-2929.doc

Dubai International Academy (DIA), (2012). Student-Parent handbook 2012-2013.AT-RJ.p.2-44.

Dubai School Inspections Bureau (DSIB). (2010). Annual Report 2010. Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). Accessed May 9, 2013 from,

http://www.khda.gov.ae/CMS/WebParts/TextEditor/Documents/KHDA-DSIB%20Annual%20

Report%202010%20English.pdf

Jacobs, K., Kristsonis, W. (2007). An Analysis of Teacher and Student Absenteeism in Urban Schools: What the Research Says and Recommendations for Educational Leaders. Electronic Journal of Student Research. The Lamar University. Record Details (ED499647) Available at: http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/recordDetail?accno=ED499647.

Lewis,K. (2010). Absenteeism rates 'too high‘. Available at: http://www.thenational.ae/news/uaenews/education/absenteeism-rates-too-high#

Los Angeles, C.A. (2008). School attendance problems: Are current polices & practices going in the right direction? .Center for mental health in schools at UCLA .p. 1-17

Ministry of Education, (2011). Students conduct disciplinary bylaw in schools community. Students advising and counselling department. P. 7-34

Ridge, N., Farah, S., & Shami, S. (2013). Patterns and perceptions in male secondary school dropouts in the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research. p 5-49

Wheatley, S. & Spillane, G. (2001). Home and Away: A Literature Review of School Absenteeism and Non- Engagement Issues, Victorian Statewide School Attachment and Engagement Planning and Interest Group, Available at: http://www.sfys.infoxchange.net.av/resources/.../00014-upload-00001.pdf.