Schools aim to achieve maximum attendance rates for all pupils: Does electronic registration make a valuable contribution?

Abstract

Although, in Britain, attendance is obligatory for all children between the ages of five and sixteen schools often experience problems of absenteeism. Low levels of attendance at school are closely associated with poor educational outcomes; many initiatives, with financial resources made available by central government, have been introduced to promote regular attendance. One such initiative is the focus for this research - the implementation of electronic registration systems in secondary schools. Such a study is important to determine whether these systems can make a valuable contribution to raising attendance rates. The research approach adopted in this dissertation is a review of the related literature and a multiple case study undertaken in south-east Wales. The aim of the literature review is to clarify the term electronic registration; to identify the forces driving implementation; and to review the electronic registration initiatives and their effectiveness in reducing pupil absenteeism. The empirical research explores the views of education professionals relating to the implementation, operation and effectiveness of electronic registration systems. The findings from this research provide evidence that electronic registration systems are widely used in secondary schools and certain features, such as lesson monitoring and prompt reporting, are considered to be of particular value. The main conclusions drawn are; that attendance management is a complex issue with a high political profile; and that electronic registration can make a valuable contribution to maximising attendance at secondary schools, but only as one of a range of initiatives. This dissertation recommends that further research be undertaken into pupil attitudes and parental engagement with attendance issues.