On Wednesday. Jan. 21, Archie Williams administrators announced the introduction of the attendance recovery program, which allows Archie Williams students to make up unexcused absences. This year, the California State Senate passed a bill allowing attendance recovery programs to be offered in schools. The TUHSD is implementing this program to give all students the opportunity to regain their Good Standing status, allowing them to join their class during graduation and attend prom.

Although the program is centered around seniors, all students who are absent from 10 percent or more days of the school year are required to attend in order to make up their absences. 

To discourage chronic absenteeism, the Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) created consequences for students. According to their website, “Students who have five (5) or more unexcused absences in any class, including tutorial, during their final semester will lose Senior in Good Standing status and be restricted from the graduation ceremony and other senior activities.” All students who have missed 10 percent or more days of the school year, regardless of grade level, will also have their off-campus lunch privileges revoked. 

Although the absence policy has not changed from previous years, the introduction of this program gives seniors a way to regain their Good Standing status. Esme Charles, an Archie Williams senior, finds the program to be a welcome change. 

“I think [the Attendance Recovery program] is helpful [for students who are] threatened with not walking at graduation or near the edge of that,” Esme said.

The program takes place after school and on select Saturdays, with dates posted on campus and emailed to students. To attend, students must email the program instructor 24 hours before the program starts. For every four hours of the program students attend, one full day of school is made up. Rene Ayala, the Archie Williams Dean of Student Success, explains the purpose of the new program. 

“[The Attendance Recovery program] is a new thing we’re piloting this year as a district, [and] all comprehensive sites are using it. The intent of [the Attendance Recovery program] is to incentivize attendance. We want students to come to school,” Ayala said.

This new approach offers second chances for proactive students. Archie Williams Spanish teacher Jose Anchordoqui highlights how the program gives students a chance to take responsibility for their past attendance.  

“I think [the Attendance Recovery Program is] good [because it] holds [students] accountable. Students are able to deliver on their end and take care of responsibilities,” Anchordoqui said.

As the program advances, it will continue to provide all students with an opportunity to address their attendance. It will remain available to seniors hoping to maintain their Good Standing status. 

“As [seniors] finish high school, we [as an administration] are preparing you for the next level. We want [students] to be individually, intrinsically motivated to get up on time, to show up to that job or class, and to meet those expectations,” Ayala said.