C.J. Rolls shared his positive experience with Ontario’s recent high school attendance policy, stating that it has had a beneficial impact on him since the beginning of classes last month.
The Grade 12 student attending Windsor’s Kennedy Collegiate Institute mentioned that he used to skip school frequently before the policy was put in place.
Rolls expressed, “It’s motivating me to attend school, fostering a genuine desire to learn.”
He added, “Since attendance contributes to your grade, there’s a necessity to attend, so there’s no issue with it.”
Rolls aims to pursue a career in real estate after completing high school.
C.J. Rolls is a Grade 12 student at Kennedy Collegiate Institute in Windsor, Ont. (Ken Amlin/CBC)
The recent regulations in Ontario schools deduct grade points for over two unexcused absences per semester. The province’s effort to combat absenteeism is aimed at habitual absentees, not students with valid reasons, as per Paul Calandra, Ontario’s education minister. Excused absences such as illnesses and religious holidays do not impact grades.
Attendance and participation constitute 15% of final marks for students in grades 9 and 10, and 10% for grades 11 and 12. Students with more than two unexcused absences will lose the full 10 or 15% attendance portion of their grade.
Amar’e Pierce Price is in Grade 11 at Kennedy high school in Windsor, Ont. (Ken Amlin/CBC)
Amar’e Pierce Price voiced his disagreement with the new policy’s implementation.
He noted, “Many individuals I know face mental health challenges and personal issues that hinder their daily school attendance.”
The Grade 11 student at Kennedy Collegiate Institute added, “Punishing students in such situations is not advantageous for anyone.”
Price emphasized, “If you pass your exams, you should pass the entire course without deductions, especially for scholarships.”
Adham Aserha goes to Kennedy high school in Windsor, Ont., and is currently in Grade 11. (Ken Amlin/CBC)
Adham Aserha, also a Grade 11 student at Kennedy high school, expressed skepticism about the policy’s effectiveness based on his observations.
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