The Effects of the Community Education Program on Student Average Daily Attendance.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of community education on average daily attendance in public elementary schools. It has been suggested by proponents of the community education philosophy that the programs and processes that are involved in community education enhance the attendance of K-12 school students. This study involved the Brockton School System in Brockton, Massachusetts. Twenty-one elementary schools were involved in two phases: Phase I (1971-1977) and Phase II (1981-1984) attendance records and enrollment records were used. The comparison was between schools that were designated community schools and non-community schools. Other variables in the study included grade, socio-economic status, and location. It was found that attendance was higher in community schools compared to non-community schools. The percentage of average daily attendance was higher at the Low, Medium, and High SES levels for community schools compared to non-community schools. Attendance was higher for community schools in location of Inner-City, Second Ring, and Outlying. Comparison by grade also showed attendance to be higher for community schools than non-community schools.