High school and elementary student attendance is declining in Ontario, as per data, coinciding with significant reforms to English school boards by the province’s education minister. The data, acquired from Ontario’s Ministry of Education by CBC News, reveals that only 40% of high school students maintained consistent attendance during the 2024-25 academic year. This marks a notable decrease from the pre-pandemic attendance rate of nearly 60% for high schoolers in 2018-19.
Similarly, at the elementary school level, just 55.5% of Grade 1-8 students met the attendance benchmark. Prior to the pandemic, attendance levels were close to 70%. The standard for regular attendance is set at 90%, requiring students to be present for at least 90% of the total school days annually. These attendance figures encompass both public and Catholic schools in Ontario.
Education Minister Paul Calandra disclosed that the decision to link attendance with final high school grades originated from teachers’ concerns regarding escalating absenteeism post-pandemic. He emphasized the importance of students being physically present in school for learning and participation during a press briefing at Queen’s Park.
Beginning with Grades 9 and 10, 15% of the final grade will be influenced by attendance, with this percentage decreasing to 10% for Grades 11 and 12. These adjustments are part of a comprehensive package of reforms announced by Calandra earlier this week, which also incorporate tying participation to grades and introducing mandatory written exams for high school students.
The reaction to these new measures among students at Jarvis Collegiate varies. Berk Yaveuz expressed that the changes would motivate him to attend classes to secure marks. Conversely, Persia Boothe suggested that the perceived dullness of school might be a factor contributing to students skipping classes and questioned the effectiveness of linking attendance to grades as a motivator.
According to Kelly Gallagher-Mackay, an associate professor at Wilfrid Laurier University specializing in education policy, absenteeism poses a significant issue, particularly exacerbated by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gallagher-Mackay highlighted the strong correlation between absenteeism and health challenges, emphasizing the severe long-term repercussions for students.
In conclusion, the issue of absenteeism in schools necessitates careful consideration, with ongoing discussions on the effectiveness of strategies like linking attendance to academic performance.