| This study investigated whether the attendance of students in grades 8 and 10 had an affect on their academic performance with the Delaware Student Testing Program in the exams of reading and math. The students of this study were selected from two grade levels in one Delaware school district over a three-year period.; This study used ex post facto data from 2005 through 2007 and used the DSTP reading and math test scores as dependent variables. The independent variables were days absent from school, gender, race, special education status, English language learner status, and socio-economic status.; The quantitative measures such as the Pearson Correlation, ANOVA's, and forward regression analysis were used to examine and compare the dependent and independent variables. In addition, the study used a survey for the administrators within the school district concerning the independent variables and student performance on the DSTP.; The results show that the higher the percentage average of absenteeism the lower the student performance average. Eighth and tenth grade math mean scale scores fall below the state proficiency level when students miss sixteen or more days of school. In reading, both eighth and tenth grades mean scale scores fall below the state proficiency levels when students miss seventeen or more days of school. This study also indicated student categories had a relationship with student achievement, scale scores and daily attendance. |
