The Wentzville Plan for Improving Student Attendance and its Effect on Low-, Average-, and High-Attenders

Abstract

The problem. The study sought answers to the following questions: (1) did student attendance improve after the implementationn of the Wentzville Plan"; and (2) did student achievement improve after the implementation of the "Wentzville Plan"? Procedure. All students who were in attendance at Wentzville High School during both the 1976-77 and the 1977-78 school years were classified into one of three categories: (1) low-attenders; (2) average-attenders; and (3) high-attenders. Nine t-tests were run to compare student absenteeism records from the year prior to the implementation of the "Wentzville Plan" (1976-77) with student absenteeism records following the implementation of the new attendance policy. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient technique was used to compare changes in grade point averages and absenteeism. All students who reduced their absenteeism rate by ten or more days were interviewed to determine what the student perceived to be the major reason for the student's reduction in absenteeism. Findings. The findings included: (1) there was an improvement in attendance records of low-attenders following the implementation of the "Wentzville Plan"; (2) there was a low correlation between improved attendance and improved student achievement; and (3) nearly one-half (46.7 percent) of the students who experienced an absenteeism reduction of ten or more days felt that the "Wentzville Plan" was a factor leading to their improved attendance record. Conclusions. The "Wentzville Plan" for improving student attendance was most effective in reducing absenteeism among low-attenders. There was only a low. correlation between improved attendance and an increase ln student achievement. Nearly one-half of the students who significantly reduced their absenteelsm record stated that the "Wentzville Plan" was a factor leading to their improved attendance records. Recommendations. Further study should be done in the area of student attendance and student achievement. This study indicated only a low correlation between improved attendance and an increase in student achlevement.