Does Contact by a Family Nurse Practitioner Decrease Early School Absence?

Abstract

Chronic early school absence (preschool through third grade) is associated with school failure. The presence of school nurses may lead to fewer absences, and nurse practitioners in school-based health centers (SBHCs) can facilitate a healthier population resulting in improved attendance. Efforts to get students back to school are unexplored in nursing literature. This article describes a nursing intervention to decrease early school absence in two elementary schools K-3 (N = 449) and a Head Start program (N = 130). The Head Start Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) contacted families of chronically and excessively absent students by telephone, clinic visit at school, or home visit. The aggregate percentage attendance was evaluated by grades (preschool to third grade), schools (Head Start, Elementary Schools 1 and 2), and grades and schools and compared with publicly available school district aggregate data. There were statistically significant increases in attendance from Year 1 to Year 2 at p < .05 at the elementary level but not at the Head Start level. Student demographics, types of contacts, absence reasons (including sick child), and medical diagnoses are described.

Compulsory School Attendance: The New American Crime

“…. " [43,49]. Students who reported poor attendance in the month before taking the 2013 NAEP scored significantly lower on the test than their peers who reported no absences.…”

“…A chronic absence is how many students miss a certain percentage or number of days, including excused and unexcused absences and suspensions. The National Assessment of Educational Progress [49] study of 2013 defined poor attendance as missing three or more days in that period, regardless of whether the absences were excused or unexcused [50]. The data for the NAEP [49] study were self-reported by students taking the test in the fourth, eighth, and twelfth grade.…”

“…The National Assessment of Educational Progress [49] study of 2013 defined poor attendance as missing three or more days in that period, regardless of whether the absences were excused or unexcused [50]. The data for the NAEP [49] study were self-reported by students taking the test in the fourth, eighth, and twelfth grade. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the simple definition of truancy is an unexcused absence from school or class without the proper approval of appropriate officials.…”

“…All states in the United States have laws governing compulsory education and mandating school attendance [49] Most states hold parents responsible for the actions of their minor children to follow compulsory attendance and truancy policies. Some states criminalize parents and students for failure to follow such policies [27,44].…”

“…In 2014, Ginsburg, Jordan and Chang conducted a state-by-state analysis of National Assessment for Educational Progress [49], showing the correlation between attendance and achievement. See Table 5.…”