UPDATE: Great Bend High School (GBHS) is intensifying its fight against chronic absenteeism, aiming for a 5% reduction this academic year. Principal Brock Funke reported that absenteeism currently stands at 46.6% for the 2024-2025 school year, a slight decrease from 47.7% last year.
The urgent need to curb absenteeism has prompted GBHS to implement new policies and strategies. Funke emphasized the importance of clear communication with families and students, stating that awareness of attendance expectations has “improved dramatically.” Families are now alerted with warning letters after a specific number of absences, reinforcing accountability.
Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of school days in a year, encompassing both excused and unexcused absences. At GBHS, students are allowed up to 16 days of absences in total. After reaching this threshold, students face significant consequences, including mandatory summer school and restrictions on attending events like Hollyball.
The school is also introducing incentives for good attendance. Students who miss fewer than six days will be exempt from midterms, while those with fewer than 14 days absent will skip finals unless they are failing a class. These measures aim to motivate students to prioritize their attendance.
In addition to attendance goals, GBHS is keen on improving student performance on state assessment tests, currently six to seven points below the state average. Funke believes that fostering a collaborative environment where students feel involved in discussions about their education will lead to better outcomes. He stated, “If kids know the reason it’s important, they’re going to perform. We want their feedback.”
As the school year progresses, GBHS is set to evaluate the effectiveness of these initiatives. The results will be closely monitored, with the hope of confirming that improved communication and accountability lead to significant enhancements in attendance rates.
Stay tuned for more updates as GBHS continues to tackle chronic absenteeism and strives for academic excellence.
