PANAMA CITY — Bay District Schools is pushing the community to understand the importance of attendance for students. The district likes to say it is committed to putting the “A” back in Bay. But to do so, students must be present.
According to a BDS press release, this commitment focuses on five essential pillars: Accountability, Attendance, Academics, the Arts, and Athletics. September is Attendance Awareness Month, and district officials remind everyone that absent students get behind in work and limit their ability to learn and grow.
“Attendance is more than just a measure of being physically present; it’s about ensuring that each of our students has the best opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve their dreams,” the release says.
In the 2023-24 school year, 9,000 of 28,000 Bay County students were absent from school without school permission, according to the release.
“This isn’t just a statistic — it’s a challenge that impacts every one of us,” the release says. “When our students aren’t in school regularly, they miss critical instruction and the chance to engage in their education fully. This affects their learning and the collective learning environment for all our students.”
This is a nationwide issue. In June, USA TODAY reported that “chronic absenteeism — when students miss at least 10% of the school year — has become an epidemic in America’s schools.” The article referenced an American Enterprise Institute report, which noted that nationwide chronic absenteeism went from 15% in 2018 to 28% in 2022.
Bay District Schools especially encourages attendance during the Florida Department of Education’s state testing windows.
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“These assessments provide a key opportunity for our students to demonstrate their knowledge and for us to measure our progress as a district,” the release says. “Consistent attendance during these times ensures that every student has the chance to shine and achieve their full potential.”
“We understand that some families face barriers that make regular attendance difficult, includingtransportation issues, health concerns, or other challenges,” the release says. “While we understand that children get sick and must stay home when unwell, regular attendance is crucial to their academic success and personal development. We need your help to ensure our students are here and ready to succeed.”