Truancy Linked to Low Test Scores in Newport Schools

Students who are truant are more likely to score lower on standardized tests than other students, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Caroline Frey told the during its meeting Tuesday night.

Frey said she analyzed NECAP scores of students in grades three, eight and 11 whom had been absent 18 times or more during the year before, since the test is administered at the beginning of the school year.

Scores were then compared to students who were absent 17 days or less.

“The results clearly showed students who absent more than 18 days are less proficient in reading and math on the NECAP,” Frey said. “Attendance clearly has an impact or scores.”

Frey also said the gap is more significant in high school.

Students were separated on the 18-day line because a student is considered truant when he or she misses ten percent of the school year, which is 180 days.

School Committee Chairman Patrick Kelley said the separation is not to say it is acceptable to miss 17 days of school, as the district continues to struggle with truancy.

Tardy students are also affected, Frey said.

Superintendent John Ambrogi said the habit of truancy begins in elementary school, and should be addressed before students fall behind.

“The pattern is established when student starts school,” he said. “If [students] don’t believe it’s important for them, they develop a pattern of behavior that school isn’t important.”