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Why Attendance Matters
Attendance is a key indicator of student success and can be one of the strongest predictors of grades. However, this raises important questions: Should attendance be mandatory? Should students lose points for missing class? How can you balance encouraging student engagement with respecting their autonomy? These are complex issues that require thoughtful consideration.
From the Faculty Handbook
Here is what the IECC faculty handbook says about attendance:
Attendance is the student's responsibility. All absences and arrangements for makeup work are arranged directly with the instructor. In all other cases, the instructor may use their own judgment regarding permission to make up work. One absence per semester credit is accepted as the maximum for acceptable college progress. When the quality of work has been affected by absence or tardiness, instructors should personally inform the student, if present, that action is being taken. The instructor should also send a progress report, available on Entrata.
Faculty are expected to submit regular attendance reports throughout the semester using the Entrata System. First Day, Ten Day, and Twenty-Five Day Rosters are required for each course as well as a Midterm check. Each attendance check relates directly to the amount of financial assistance a student receives, the total amount of their bill and state compliance for enrollment reporting. Please check carefully and contact records with any issues or concerns you may have. After the submission of each attendance check, students can be reinstated with instructor approval.
Crafting an Effective Attendance Policy
One of the most crucial aspects of an effective attendance policy is transparency. Your policy should be clear, easily understandable, and communicated to students at the beginning of the semester. It should also be detailed in your syllabus for easy reference.
Example Attendance Statement
Regular classroom attendance is required for this course. You may not miss more than 3 classes without written excuses. Students who miss too many courses may be dropped from this course at Midterm or receive a diminished grade.
For hybrid or online learning environment, active participation is expected through Canvas. Engagement might include accessing course materials, participating in discussions, or completing assignments.
If technology challenges hinder your participation, please reach out to me or the ITS department for support. I am available for office hours via Zoom, and appointments can be scheduled as needed.
Attendance in an Online Course
For fully online courses, students participate in the Canvas learning management system.
Online Attendance is a feature in New Analytics. Please see the full functionality included in Canvas Release: New Analytics.
Weekly Online Activity
In published courses, Weekly Online Activity allows instructors to view the average number of page views and participations for a course using an interactive chart or table. Additionally, instructors can filter analytic results to compare the average course activity with a specific section or student. For details about Weekly Online Activity functionality, please see the Weekly Online Activity Analytics summary.
Weekly Online Activity data also includes a student table, which displays all students within a specific filter below the chart. For each student, the table displays the student's name, number of page views, and number of participations. Clicking the student’s name opens the individual student view, which displays the average course grade, submission information, participation metrics for the student, and communication data between the teacher and student using an interactive chart or table. For details about student analytics, please see the Student View Analytics Tabs summary.
What Constitutes "Attendance"
- Physically attending a class with direct interaction
- Attending a virtual class via Zoom with opportunities for interaction
- Submitting academic assignments
- Completing activities in Canvas
- Participating in exams, tutorials, or computer-assisted instruction
- Attending study groups assigned by the instructor
- Engaging in online discussions related to course content in Canvas
- Initiating contact with the instructor about course material
- Attending a field trip activity
Note: Simply logging into an online class without active participation does not count as attendance.
Strategies to Improve Student Attendance
- Set Clear Expectations:
- Communicate the benefits of attending class (e.g., engaging with course content, participation in collaborative activities).
- Explain how attendance correlates with academic success.
- Highlight what students might miss by not attending.
- Make Class Time Valuable:
- Incorporate active learning methods to apply concepts at a higher level.
- Use class time for activities that cannot be easily replicated outside of the classroom.
- Make participation a meaningful part of the final grade.
- Build Connections with Students:
- Learn and use students’ names.
- Hold office hours in accessible, informal settings.
- Reach out to students who are falling behind to show concern.
- Provide Alternatives for Legitimate Absences:
- Offer make-up work options for students with valid reasons for missing class.
- Ensure course materials are accessible online for those who cannot attend in person.
By adopting these practices, you can foster an environment that values attendance while respecting the diverse needs of your students.