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From the Chalkboard: Attendance Incentives
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Anonymous user Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments In Casper, Wyo., Kaytie Christopherson received an early Christmas present she’ll never forget: a red, 2006 Chevrolet Colorado crew cab pickup worth $28,000. 
Kaytie won the first Natrona County School District truck. Had she won a contest of some kind or an academic award? No, Kaytie had won the truck in a drawing merely for going to school. 
Public schools commonly reward good attendance with movie tickets, gas vouchers and iPods.  But some students like Kaytie are now hitting the ultimate jackpot just for going to school.
This spring, school districts in Hartford, Conn.; Pueblo, Colo.;  and Yuma,  Ariz. are also giving away vehicles in attendance drawings.The Natrona District is next giving away a blue 2007 Chevy Colorado, and has been displaying the vehicle at football and basketball games.
The obvious reasons for such lucrative incentives are, naturally, financial. Increased attendance is good for student achievement and for district finances, as well. Schools receive state funding based on average daily attendance. In July 1998, a new state law changed the financial incentives for school attendance.
Prior to 1998, average daily attendance provided the same funding for students with an “excused absence” (such as illness) as students present in the classroom. Beginning in 1998, average daily attendance included only actual attendance, so schools have a financial incentive to increase the number of students in school. This prompted Pajaro Valley Unified School District in Watsonville, Calif. to focus on increasing attendance through site-level incentives and public campaigns. These strategies are paying off with reduced absenteeism.
It is hoped that these incentives continue to keep more students in school, thereby increasing district funds. Districts have much to gain and very little to lose by holding car drawings. Daily enrollments can mean up to $12,000 in state funding for the year. Vehicles are donated by local dealerships through their advertising budgets. Dealerships are increasing customers each year because of the program, which defrays the expense of donations. 
So it appears to be a win-win situation. But is it best for students? It would appear that students are being bribed to attend school. Is bribery working? The results are not clear. Neither is the wisdom of such programs. 
It may seem like a good idea to pay students to come to school, but is it sending the right message? Students are much better motivated when they receive internal gratification instead of external. Paying students to attend school is sending the message that they have to receive a reward for doing things that are their normal responsibility.
Schools should be preparing their students for the “real world.” They will certainly not be rewarded for showing up for work, and they will also have to produce work. It is expected behavior.
Schools should be in the business of instilling the values of responsibility, hard work, independence and other internal motivators.  Aside from attendance, should there not be an academic requirement? Shouldn’t students have to actually do something while they are in school? In this design, a failing student could easily win the drawing. 
Most of the risk factors for school absenteeism are related to the child and the family, as well as the school.
There is a wide range of problems that contribute to students who don’t show up for school, including chronic illness, learning disabilities, social isolation, language barriers, low self-esteem, behavioral problems, poor home environments, substance abuse or an unsafe school environment, to name a few.
Research also shows that drug abuse and daytime burglary both correlate with truancy. There is a universal agreement that school attendance is closely related to academic achievement. 
Clearly, school absenteeism is an issue that will require the cooperation of students, parents, families, schools, media, law enforcement and other community services. Everyone has a role to play.
Regarding  vehicle giveaways, I don’t see this as a long-term answer to absenteeism. I guess credit should be given to districts that are at least trying something creative. But it will take the combined efforts of many to solve a very critical problem.

What is your opinion of giving away vehicles as incentives for good attendance? Is it something local schools should try? Post your comments to this story online at: www.swvoice.com

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