Neverending Absences

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Home : 2006 : April : 11

Neverending Absences
By Frank

I was wondering how to handle the problem of neverending absences.

In my co-op's classroom, only once in a blue moon are all of the students present. For weeks, we have had either one or two students out sick ALL
WEEK LONG. Right now, it seems like everyone is sick. Yesterday, we had five out (and one student with an early dismissal). Today, two came back, three were still out, another one was out, and one went home sick at noon.

My co-op expects me to keep these kids up-to-date on missed assignments upon their return. Some of the missed skills are needed in order to complete upcoming

practice tests and real tests. Plus, I am missing data for my own college assignments thanks to these students.

I have been trying very hard to keep all of the students on par. But with all of these absences, it has become extremely diffcult - if not impossible.

What makes matters more complicated is that I can't keep anybody in for recess to make up work. I can't give make-up tests unless the room is completely quiet (so first-thing-in-the-morning doesn't work). The kids also have to make up computer sessions that they are required to do every day (this is a district-wide thing for which there is a specific quota).

Any advice??????