Selma City Schools fights absenteeism, rewards students
Chronic absenteeism is a major issue in school districts all across the country. Selma City Schools has started a year-long initiative to try to ease the problem.
The new initiative rewards the students at the school with the highest daily student attendance average each month.
Sophia P. Kingston Elementary School ended September with the highest daily student attendance average. 95% or more of its students were present in school every day for the whole month.
And as a reward, all 303 students were treated to a free movie at Walton Theater Selma, complete with a free bag of popcorn and an ice cold drink.
School district officials say each month of the school year will feature a different prize for the winning school.
School officials say chronic absenteeism can have a negative impact on a student’s academic success, a school district’s state report card and its state funding.
