Our primary school is putting a lot of effort into increasing attendance at the moment and has introduced an array of pupil reward schemes for 100% attendance.
I'm a big supporter of encouraging being present and punctual for primary aged kids. I never book holidays in term time and am not late.
However, I am not in favour of schemes that reward children (and therefore, in the eyes of such young children, makes those who didn't get the reward feel penalised) for circumstances which are beyond their control.
My biggest concerns are:
1)Such reward schemes penalise those with chronic health problems disproportionately.
2)Children who are often late or absent for whatever reason, be it health reasons or parents not recognising the value of presenteeism are already at a disadvantage compared to children who are blessed with good health or parents who place a higher value on education. If these children are then persistantly passed over for rewards they may become demoralised and more disadvantaged than they were already in the long run.
I do support initiatives that offer support to families struggling with attendance or perhaps parent education, but nothing that directly rewards children for circumstances beyond their control from the age of 4.
The letter sent home with my child today, detailing all the new reward schemes states "it has been shown that, where attendance rewards are utilised, children who may have previously wanted to stay home for small ailments, they are more eager to come to school so that they don't break their good attendance record."
My question is, are any of you wise education-savvy mumsnetters able to point me in the direction of the study the school must be alluding to with "it has been shown that..". Also, if there are any other studies regarding the efficacy of attendance awards, I'd be intrigued to read them.
Thank you.
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Is there any evidence attendance awards work?
5 replies
Wecandothisthing · 23/04/2018 16:20
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