POLICY HAS IMPROVED SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

The Cape Girardeau School District wants students in school. Attendance plays a big part in the learning process. So three years ago, the district made this offer: ninth through 12th graders with perfect attendance, no discipline referrals and a C average can skip their finals.

As you might imagine, the proposition was well received. In fact, about 400 students qualified for the final-exam exemption last year. It's an impressive number from a student body of 990.

A group of doctors approached the school board recently expressing concern that the policy encourages students who would have normally stayed home sick to attend classes. They feel the policy allows little leeway for even doctor or dentist appointments.

It's a legitimate question, but the success of the current policy would be hard abandon.

Before the final exam exemption policy, attendance was faltering at the high school. If kids aren't in school, they're not learning. Attendance also has an impact on state funding.

Each year, student participation in the no-finals program grows. Attendance at the high school has improved tremendously.

The policy is fairly strict. There are only two exceptions: a death in the immediate family or major illness such as pneumonia or hospitalization.

The doctors have suggested more leeway on excused absences. The problem is where do you draw the line? Many doctors' offices schedule appointments before and after school. Some even offer weekend hours.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not a student should attend school rests with parents. They are responsible for the health and safety of their own children.

The district has reported no problems with contagious illness during the three years the policy has been in effect. With a full-time nurse in every building, sick students are tended to and sent home.

The program has earned solid support from both students and parents as a motivator to attend classes. Anyone with a teen-agers well knows that this age group sometimes has a hard time getting motivated for anything.

During the last two years, about 25 parents came in on finals day and helped supervise the growing number of students that earned a finals waiver. These teens enjoyed big-screen TVs and refreshments while other students took exams.

On the downside, a smart and healthy student may go all the way through high school without taking a final exam. They might be in for an unpleasant jolt when they arrive at college.

But the positive results from this policy seem to far outweigh the negatives. The decision should rest with the parents -- both with sending kids to school or calling for a change in the policy if they think it's harmful.