Attendance Rates Decline Among Ontario Students Amid New Policy Changes
Attendance for high schoolers, elementary students is plummeting in Ontario: data
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Attendance rates for high school and elementary students in Ontario have significantly dropped, with only 40% of high schoolers and 55.5% of elementary students meeting attendance standards in the 2024-25 school year. In response, the province's education minister announced new policies linking attendance to final grades, aiming to address the issue of absenteeism exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 01Only 40% of high school students and 55.5% of elementary students met attendance standards in Ontario for the 2024-25 school year.
- 02Attendance standards require students to be present at least 90% of school days.
- 03Education Minister Paul Calandra announced that attendance will now factor into final grades for high school students.
- 04The decline in attendance is linked to changes in student engagement and health issues post-COVID-19.
- 05Experts warn that absenteeism can have serious long-term effects on students' education.
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Attendance among students in Ontario has sharply declined, with only 40% of high school students and 55.5% of elementary students meeting the attendance standard for the 2024-25 school year. This marks a significant drop from pre-pandemic levels, where nearly 60% of high schoolers and 70% of elementary students attended regularly. In response to rising absenteeism, Ontario's Education Minister Paul Calandra announced that attendance will now contribute to final grades, with 15% of marks for Grades 9 and 10 tied to attendance, decreasing to 10% for Grades 11 and 12. Calandra emphasized the importance of being present in school for learning and participation. However, student reactions are mixed; some feel the new measures may not effectively motivate attendance. Education expert Kelly Gallagher-Mackay highlighted that absenteeism has worsened since the pandemic and is linked to health challenges, urging for a focus on promoting school attendance. The situation raises questions about the effectiveness of punitive measures in encouraging student engagement.
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The new attendance policies may lead to increased school attendance, but could also create stress for students who struggle with engagement.
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