Schools across the U.S. are struggling to monitor unexcused absences in a Zoom classroom setting.
Individual teachers are monitoring attendance differently. Some teachers are taking attendance at the beginning of class while others are making them complete assignments to be considered present. It is also much easier for students to skip classes throughout the day because they aren’t physically there.
Greenfield Central Community Schools Superintendent Harold Olin discussed how students could in theory slip away from class after being counted present.
"Now there are ways around that," Olin said. "You know once attendance has been taken to gauge the engagement level of students after attendance has been taken is difficult."
It is difficult to measure whether students are actually present in class throughout the day for not all teachers ask their students to have their cameras on. Students could easily sign in for attendance and turn their cameras off.
Olin said the unexcused absence problem many schools face has been avoided by being on a hybrid schedule where students come in two days a week.
"The kids do come to campus twice a week right now. So, the teachers do have a way of following up with students when they are on site,” he said.
This in person interaction gives teachers the chance to check on students who may be struggling and offer encouragement. This hybrid schedules keeps students engaged and according to Olin seemed to have helped in keeping up with students and making sure they come to class.
Greenfield Central Community Schools has offered assistance to families with weak internet connection to guarantee each student can attend Zoom classes.
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