Features

Age Affects Attendance, Study Says By Yolanda Huang

Friday December 09, 2005

Student attendance declines as students grow older, the Berkeley School Board learned last week. 

According to a district report on student attendance, which the board heard at the Nov. 16 meeting, Berkeley elementary school attendance fluctuated between 91 percent and 97 percent, but at Berkeley High School, the attendance drop was significant and precipitous. 

From the September high of 96.4 percent, the average student attendance at BHS fell to a low of 85.4 percent in April. The absenteeism at Berkeley High School led to more than $1.5 million in lost revenues because the state of California funds school districts based upon enrollment and attendance. 

The administration recommended no action on the matter at the meeting and asked more information. The board requested a further report on reasons for the drastic reduction in attendance and details by school.