Showing Up is a Secret to Success in School and Beyond

FRANK SCHOFIELD superintendent, Logan City School District

I have never met a parent who did not want their child to be successful, regardless of how “success” was defined. Thousands of ideas have been developed and shared regarding the keys to individual success. A parent could study the “1000-hour rule” popularized by Malcolm Gladwell, the idea of “grit” as explained by Dr. Angela Duckworth, or the importance of a “growth mindset” as explained by Dr. Carol Dweck. Of course, all of these principles have value, but in my work as a professional educator, I have seen an even simpler idea be the foundation of a student’s success: the idea that “80% of success is showing up.”

Success in any aspect of our lives is dependent on us showing up and being present: I only become a better basketball player if I show up to the gym. I only improve my marriage and family relationships if I show up and spend time with my family. I only succeed in my career if I show up and put myself in a position to learn, progress, and take advantage of opportunities that present themselves.

The importance of showing up is particularly important for students as they attend school. Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance, and this relationship between attendance and achievement can appear early in a child's school career. A recent study looking at young children found that absenteeism in kindergarten was associated with negative first-grade outcomes such as greater absenteeism in subsequent years and lower achievement in reading, math, and general knowledge. Additionally, regular attendance provides positive social opportunities for students and helps them develop habits that promote long-term success after graduation.

Unfortunately, an increasing number of students in Utah schools are not “showing up.” Nearly one-fifth of Utah students are chronically absent, meaning they miss more than 10% of the school year. Every missed school day is a lost opportunity for students to learn, and the effects of lost school days build up one absence at a time on individual students.

There are many reasons why students may be absent from school including illness, family emergencies, the need to help care for younger siblings, medical appointments, student anxiety, and family vacations. Although the reasons will vary among families, a student’s success in school will typically be strengthened by regular attendance.

So what can parents do to develop the habits of “showing up” at school that will encourage their child’s success? Some simple steps include:

HELP YOUR CHILD UNDERSTAND THAT SCHOOL IS THEIR VERY FIRST JOB.

• Make great school attendance a priority for your child.

• Talk to your child about the importance of daily attendance in every class and how it helps his/her learning.

• Talk with your child about his/her school day.

• Learn which classes are engaging your child’s interests.

• Discuss ways to increase interest in classes your child does not find engaging.

HELP YOUR CHILD DEVELOP GOOD DAILY HABITS LIKE...

• Place finished homework in backpack.

• Lay out clothes and the backpack in the evening.

• Have a regular bedtime for a good night's sleep.

• Leave early enough in the morning to get to school on time.

• Turn off electronic devices one hour before bedtime.

When Your Child Is Sick

• Let your child stay home if he/she is truly sick. If complaints of a headache or stomach ache might be a sign of anxiety instead of physical illness, contact your child’s school to discuss possible solutions together.

Appointments And Vacations

• Make every effort to schedule doctor, dentist, and other appointments after school hours.

• If your child must be out of school for an appointment, get him/her back to school for at least part of the school day.

• Plan vacations when school is not in session.

Safety

• Ask your teen if he/she feels safe from bullies and other threats.

• Stay on top of your teen's social contacts.

• Discuss peer pressure and social isolation because feeling pressure from other teens or feeling lonely at school can lead to skipping or missing school.

• Encourage meaningful after-school activities, including sports and clubs.

“Showing up” becomes increasingly important as children mature and make an increasing number of decisions on their own. Grit and a growth mindset will still be important, as will countless other lessons parents teach in the home, but the foundation of a child’s future success in school and career will be influenced by how well they learn to simply “show up.”