Attendance Reward and Absenteeism in High School

Abstract

14 years of data, 1976 to 1989, from a north central Kansas rural high school district were analyzed. An attendance reward of exemption from taking semester tests was implemented to decrease the absenteeism in high school from 1976 to 1989. In 1980 a reward policy for attendance was implemented. Students who attended school regularly and maintained a certain grade point average earned an opportunity to be exempt from taking semester tests. Absenteeism was significantly higher for students before 1980 than afterwards. The reward policy was effective in raising attendance and in lowering absenteeism.