1. Attendance Wars Incentive Program 2016-2017
Action Research Project
Created by Jayme Voliva
Forsyth Middle School Counselor

2. Continuing Attendance Incentive from Previous School year
The attendance incentive program from the school year has been continued to the school year.
The attendance incentive program simply took on a new name to match the Character Education Theme for the school year, which was “STAR WARS- May the Character Be With You”
The incentive program aims to improve Middle School attendance each school year.

3. SIMS Students, Interventions, Measurements, Settings
Students: The attendance incentive program uses classroom attendance competition to increase overall student attendance. All Forsyth Middle School students are involved.
Interventions:
Classrooms are in competition with all other middle school classes each month for the best overall attendance percentage. The winning class receives 5 extra Panther Bucks per student and recognition at the monthly Character Education Assemblies.
All classes are in competition each quarter for the highest attendance percentage. The winning class for each quarter wins a pizza party and recognition at the monthly Character Education Assemblies.
Attendance rankings are updated by the school counselor each week to hold students accountable and know their rankings.
Measurements: The data was measured using the grade level and student attendance data figured by SIS and the PULSE system.
Settings: The Attendance Wars Incentive Program took place at Forsyth Middle School, Grades 5-8.

4. Purpose
To continue the attendance incentive program set in place during the school year.
To improve overall school attendance each year.

5. Comparing Attendance Percentages
5th and 6th Grade classes’ percentages were computed according to their homeroom classes.
7th and 8th Grade classes’ percentages were computed according to their 4th hour classes.

6. Measurements:
Each Monday the days that had passed in the month or quarter were counted and the minutes for the days figured.
The report, “Attendance Totals by Class” was used to run the overall attendance percentage for both the monthly and quarterly attendance competitions.

7. Attendance Wars Bulletin Board

8. 5th, 6th, and 8th Grades show an increase in attendance percentage each year. 7th grade did not show an increase.
Data Analysis:

9. School Increase in Attendance
Overall attendance percentages increase each school year.
School Increase in Attendance

10. Recommendations
It is recommended that the attendance incentive program remain in place to hold accountability and continued increase in attendance throughout each school year.
It is recommended that the school counselor investigate the cause of 7th grade attendance rates dropping each year and find ways to raise the attendance rates in this grade level.
It is recommended that an additional incentive (possibly weekly incentive) be added to the attendance incentive program.