Teacher Absences

Review of my school’s improvement plan indicates that many of the root causes of the problems and challenges with our school stem from teacher absenteeism. It is a problem discussed at all of our faculty meetings. It is a reason expressed by many students as to why they do not come to school or stay the entire day. Lack of teachers in HSA areas has also been a contributing factor to low scores on assessments. This is just what I see at the high school level. From what students have explained to me, there were entire years during middle school that the teacher left at the beginning of school and was never replaced. The year resulted in watching MTV and playing cards.
I recently read an article that outlines a districts’ experiment with cutting teacher absenteeism. Despite evidence that teacher absences harm student achievement, teachers’ unions object to districts that are interested in cutting down on the absences. In my opinion, teacher abuse of leave is prevalent. Not only does it hurt the student, it always causes stress on the rest of the staff that are forced to step up and fill a position on a daily basis. Studies of test results by Harvard and Duke economists indicate that teacher absences negative effect on student achievement. The economists suggest an incentive plans that rewards exceptional attendance or pays teachers for earned leave they don’t take. Another suggestion is to require teachers to report time off to their principal directly, rather than to the central office or an answering machine.
With the changes that are occurring in schools next year, teach absenteeism is an issue that should not be ignored. Reporting directly to the principal and providing rewards to reduce abuse of leave, will hopefully improve the school. Teach absence is linked to student attendance, school climate, and student test scores. Another important point to consider is the cost that teacher absence causes. With the budget in the hands of principals next year, I am skeptical of the number of substitutes that will be provided for absent teachers.